Data centres are central to Capgemini’s IT outsourcing business; the company has 27 centres globally consuming 70% of the company’s energy. Capgemini UK’s Merlin data centre uses new design and technology to reduce power usage and emissions by 40%.
IT is responsible for 2% of global CO2 emissions, approaching that of aviation - as a global leader in technology, outsourcing, and consulting Capgemini ‘s operations have a substantial impact on these emissions. Understanding this impact Capgemini has a commitment to improving its energy efficiency by more than 20% by 2014.
Relevance:
The Challenge
The main challenge for this project was presenting the business case to the global Board of Directors in order to secure the funding over other investment proposals. This was successful based on 1) new and unproven technology, 2) putting sustainability at the top of the list of objectives – a first for the company for an investment of this size.
What and How:
In 2010 Capgemini opened its newest data centre, Merlin, in Swindon, the first to be designed with sustainability as its number one objective.
The team designing Merlin looked ahead of conventional technologies and opted for a modular construction, fresh-air cooling and kinetic Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) all demonstrating minimum environmental impacts.
The location for the centre was chosen, from 360 site options, based on its prevailing weather patterns to allow for maximum efficiency of the fresh-air cooling system. The environmental impact of construction was also minimised by selecting a site for modular construction with good availability of utilities and services.
It also developed new options or fresh-air cooling with custom-built software via 3000+ monitoring devices. Merlin also has a back-up flywheel Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), used only in exceptional conditions but the fly-wheel eliminates the need for batteries and the associated hazardous waste, it also produces clean waste water.
In centre was constructed from 95% recycled materials and can be retrofitted to existing warehouse and data centres meaning Capgemini can, and will, adopt the standard for its new data centres worldwide. Not only has the company passed on the energy cost savings to its clients but it has also adopted a ‘no trade secrets’ policy so that others in the industry can use the design and technology as well.
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