The growth of data centers is unstoppable. In its latest report in the sector (presented in January), Spain DC, the Association of ‘Data Centers’ in Spain, details the forecasts in the next five years: with the current growth rate, this industry will multiply … For six the current installed power, until exceeding 2,100 MW, and will attract investments for more than 58,000 million euros to the country as a whole. At the moment, Spain has reached 355 MW.
Evolution will depend on public decisions, regulations related to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, as well as the capacity of infrastructure to respond to energy needs.
The data centers have different typology, explains Ricardo Abad, vocal of Spain DC and CEO of Quark: «They can be corporately designed for a company or entity of the administration and also for a colocation company, which are dedicated to rent space with power availability to third parties. With the irruption of the AI there are also clear differences between those designed for cloud services and to house AI servers ».
The construction of new data centers requires a specific constructive concept because it is a very industrial type of property, where the facilities have a very relevant role. «The design of the building – – says abbot – is at the service of the functionality of the facilities, to have the necessary spaces for its maintenance and replacement at the end of the useful life and of being able to support its weight, which is much higher than a conventional building ».
58,000 million investment awaits the sector in a five years
As for the interior spaces, they are areas where the finishes are taken care of. “Normally All facilities are seen for your best operation and maintenance and require a lot of height between forged (per plant) to house them. Cleaning is maximum (absence of dust) so as not to harm the computer equipment, ”says Spain DC vowel.
Sustainability and energy efficiency is maximum concern in these centers, says Abad: «Being an intensive sector, both for power and its uninterrupted functioning during the 24 hours, energy efficiency is a priority for even competitive reasons and for consciousness social of all companies in the field. Such is the case that it is the first sector in Europe that has been self -imposed to be neutral in carbon without waiting for the publication of any European directive. In Spain, almost all of the ‘data centers’ only uses renewable energy ».
Agility and efficiency
The main technological companies have adopted modular and prefabricated solutions as standard to expedite construction, improve energy efficiency and reduce their ecological footprint. «Industrialized construction-Marcelo Miranda, CEO of Consolis technical- It takes prefabrication one step further by integrating automated processes and advanced technology, standardizing and digitizing the entire construction process. This approach guarantees greater precision, quality and cost reduction, in addition to optimizing the use of resources and minimizing waste. All this makes it the option that offers the best integral efficiency ».
One of the main characteristics, in addition, is the modular design of the structures. When based on the repetition of patterns and rooms, it allows greater efficiency for the design and subsequent manufacturing and assembly. In Spain, usually, it is built with prefabricated concrete elements, material that offers large benefits for this type of infrastructure, such as the ability to carry large loads or fire resistance.
Consolis Technyconta began its career 30 years ago in the agricultural sector, where they have raised resistant and functional buildings that guarantee durability and good performance. In recent times they have focused their efforts on the construction of data centers. And for this they have developed Technydata, A sustainable concrete prefabricated solution specifically designed for these new scenarios. The company has participated so far in nine projects: five finishes, three about to finish and another one.
According to Miranda, «Technydata allows efficient and adaptable implementation, with high structural resistance, reduces the carbon footprint of products by more than 40% compared to the company’s standard prefabricated, and has a modular design that optimizes the operational space and reduce construction times ».
All the works of Tecydata carry Green Spine Line technology, based on reducing the environmental impact without compromising the quality, resistance and durability of constructive solutions thanks to the limitation of the number of raw materials used. “It allows to optimize the design so that the envelope has a better thermal behavior and thus have greater energy efficiency in the building,” says Miranda. “We bet on the circularity in the materials, promoting the recycling and reuse of concrete and the waters of the process, to reduce the extraction of raw materials and minimize the environmental footprint of each project,” emphasizes the CEO of Consolis Tecnyconta.
Throughout the cycle
DCONCEPT was born three years ago to offer 360º services in ‘Data Center’ projects, covering from the design and execution of work to operation and maintenance. «They often ask us if we are an engineering, an installer or an operation and maintenance company. The reality is that we do not fit in a single category. The ‘data centers’ are critical infrastructure, essential for the functioning of strategic services such as telecommunications, banking, health, electronic commerce or public administration, and require a high level of knowledge and demand, ”says María Barrero Leal, co -founder and director of architecture and business development at DCONCEPT.
The expert is committed to prefabricated solutions in the construction of ‘Data Centers’, a strategy that reduces deadlines, optimizes costs and improves precision in execution. «From the architectural point of view, prefabrication is key in structure, covered, facades, forged and modular enclosures, essential elements for the efficiency and resistance of the building. In critical infrastructure, where reliability and delivery times are key, it makes a difference, ”he details. A ‘Data Center’ is the digital brain that drives the Internet and digital services. Inside, thousands of servers process and distribute data at high speed, ensuring safe and efficient operation. Although one more building seems on the outside, its true essence is in the infrastructure that keeps it operational. This is where the MEP facilities come into play – it is the acronym in English that designates the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems (Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing), as well as the corresponding engineering. “They are the operational base of the Data Center, guarantee the energy, air conditioning and security necessary for the servers to work without interruptions,” says Barrero.
The air conditioning is one of the biggest challenges in the design of a ‘Data Center’, since the heat generated by the servers should be controlled to avoid overheating and failures. «It is a key component of the infrastructure, because its efficiency directly impacts the operability and energy consumption of the center. Therefore, the engineering of ‘Data Centers’ constantly seeks new solutions that reduce both energy expenditure and water consumption. Technologies such as air cooling, liquid cooling or closed circuit systems are gaining prominence to improve efficiency and sustainability, ”adds the architect.
#boom #data #centers #finds #ally #modular #construction
