As much as everything is constantly changing, one truth of the real estate industry was, is and will always remain valid: location, location, location!

No matter what type of real estate is involved, the choice of location is always crucial. This also applies to critical infrastructure such as data centers. In recent years, they have established themselves as a highly exciting real estate investment. They’re in a true boom market – simply because we all need more and more of them.

The coronavirus pandemic simply intensified what was already true: we are producing copious amounts of data. Whether it’s big data, mobiles, cloud computing, IoT, 5G, e-commerce or streaming services, it all stems from digital transformation. And this wealth of data has to be stored somewhere. Demand for data center space has grown exponentially across the globe. In Europe alone, demand for colocation data centers has risen by 22 percent since 2019. The main hubs for this are London, Frankfurt and Amsterdam.

The Right Choice of Location? Yes, but Make it Sustainable

So what does it all come down to in the battle to discover the supposedly best site for urgently needed data centers? If you want to plan, build and manage with the future in mind, there’s one thing you need to focus on above all else: sustainability. Highly functional buildings such as data centers must be sustainable, as this is the only way to ensure long-term reliability and agility – the two most important prerequisites for critical infrastructure.

The potential for the construction and real estate industry is huge: market researchers predict that the market for “green data centers” will grow by $45 billion worldwide by 2024.

We mustn’t forget that information and communications technology are responsible for two percent of global CO2 emissions, of which data centers account for 20 percent. In Frankfurt, for example, the data centers are responsible for around one fifth of the city’s electricity consumption. That’s significantly more than the total consumption of Frankfurt Airport! What’s more, other resources such as air and water become polluted.

Given the unprecedented growth of this industry, enhancing sustainability performance is paramount. And it is possible! For example, data centers can be sustainably integrated into climate-friendly urban concepts (see below for an example of a smart power-to-heat solution) – provided such options are taken into account when choosing a site.

What to Look for When Choosing a Site for Sustainable Data Centers

It cannot be emphasized enough: location, location, location. The importance of choosing the right site cannot be overstated when it comes to the development of sustainable critical infrastructure.

As a full-service provider, Ramboll offers customized site assessments and tailored advice on selecting a site based on global, multidisciplinary knowledge ranging from architecture and building certification to sustainability consulting. We help develop integrated sustainable data center infrastructure solutions that promote a circular economy while ensuring energy and cost savings as well as climate and ecological benefits. Ramboll can step in at any stage of the project, e.g. for audits or when a site is relocated or demolished.

Depending on the client, we focus on a variety of issues:

1. Environmental due diligence and compliance for site development

The degree to which a site is suitable depends on a number of factors. Comprehensive environmental due diligence provides the right starting point for site development. The success of developers depends heavily on how well they can ensure that all stakeholders involved in the project communicate with each other, that the project remains on schedule, and that existing and emerging risks can be mitigated. This is where strategic management programs for Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) can help. Ramboll supports its clients with end-to-end services in the area of EHS compliance and strategy. This includes identifying EHS requirements, managing complex permitting processes, handling EHS issues and providing support in day-to-day operations..

2. Site evaluation and risk assessment for existing areas (land recycling) and new buildings

The run on suitable sites for critical infrastructure is great. It can often be more profitable to convert or reuse existing sites rather than develop new ones. In order to make an informed decision here, you should rely on comprehensive, precise site assessments by experts. If the decision is made to use an “old” site, such as an industrial property that has been used for other purposes for decades, it is important to examine risks and other special features. For example, building pollutants must be investigated, deconstruction concepts drafted, the soil and groundwater situation assessed, and remediation alternatives identified, coordinated and implemented, while also taking proportionality into account.

3. Informed site selection with regard to infrastructure

Sites in city centers have long been a rare commodity, which is why peripheral sites are increasingly being considered for data centers and other critical infrastructure. Ramboll always advises its customers on site selection by taking a close look at the infrastructure, not least because the company always adopts a holistic lifecycle approach. Are there energy suppliers nearby? What are the transport connections like?

How the Right Site Prepares Sustainable Data Centers for the Challenges of Tomorrow

Both the events of the past few weeks with heatwaves, storms and floods and the latest climate report have once again made it abundantly clear: we should expect more extreme weather events and serious climate consequences in the future.

In the planning and construction of all projects, especially in sustainable data centers, it’s crucial to identify possible risks early on (risk analysis) and to act accordingly. Risk minimization and resilience are keywords here that describe how project developers and architects safeguard their buildings against geotechnical and seismic problems as well as the consequences of climate change such as floods or drought right from the outset. Data centers in particular often have a high water requirement for cooling – extreme droughts as well as flooding could damage the performance or even operational capability of the facilities. 

Best Practice Example of a Sustainable Data Center: TeliaSonera's Data Center in Helsinki

Ramboll works with some of the largest data center operators in the world, helping them with planning, site selection, due diligence and permitting processes.

In 2018, for example, TeliaSonera's sustainable 24MW data center went online in Helsinki. A Ramboll team provided management and lead consulting services from a feasibility study to final handover. Apart from its immense power (200,000 servers on 15.000 m2 can deliver up to 24 MW of IT power), the data center excels in sustainability: the facility recycles energy using heat pumps that can transfer heat to an available heat sink via district heating systems. At peak times, the system can supply more than 20 GW of heating energy to 9,000 households in Helsinki.

How Ramboll Supports the Planning of Sustainable Data Centers

Ramboll provides global and multidisciplinary expertise in creating integrated, sustainable data center infrastructure solutions that promote a circular economy, protect the environment and climate and minimize costs.

We offer comprehensive environmental and sustainability services throughout the data center lifecycle, from project launch to decommissioning.

Here’s what you’ll get from us:

• Proven track record with more than a decade of experience
• Global and regional expertise to help wherever we are needed
• Multidisciplinary capabilities: the most qualified experts work on the right aspects of each project
• Close cooperation with customers to meet their individual needs
• Strong, diverse company that has contributed to the sustainable development of society for 75 years
• Sustainability expertise that adds value, guarantees stakeholder satisfaction and ensures long-term resilience

We combine our extensive practical knowledge of the industry with exceptional technical expertise in sustainability. This way, we deliver reliable and timely solutions that are in line with our customers’ ambitious sustainability goals.

Contact:
Dr. Andrea Merkle
Principal
D +49 (6195) 977525
M +49 (178) 6003929
amerkle@ramboll.com
 
Toni Crawley-Schaefer
Managing Consultant
D +49 6195 977534
M +49 178 6003932
tcrawley@ramboll.com