COUNTRY FOCUS: NETHERLANDS
projects are getting bigger, but the margins
are getting smaller.
However, an integration of the data centre
and smart grid makes it possible – what
we will just call – to put ‘grid services’ as a
second financial pillar under the business
model of a data centre.
Provided this is done on the basis of sound
agreements, new turnover will be generated.
Initially of course modest in size, but at the
same time with a relatively high margin.
Financial possibilities
The same applies, of course, to data
centres that in the future want to supply
residual heat to customers for a fee. These
www.intelligentcio.com
“
WE ARE NOW MORE
THAN SIX MONTHS
FURTHER IN AND
IT IS BECOMING
INCREASINGLY
CLEAR HOW
IMPORTANT THIS
PROJECT IS –
ESPECIALLY FOR
THE DATA CENTRE
INDUSTRY.
transactions will also have a relatively
high margin and can therefore make an
interesting financial contribution to the
operation of data centres.
The project on battery storage in the Johan
Cruyff Arena could very well serve as an
example to the data centre industry.
Although, at the moment, the storage
capacity at the stadium is not yet
sufficient to supply energy to external
customers, this project does show that
developing and delivering energy services
offers interesting opportunities to data
centres. The energy transition facing the
data centre and ICT sector could thus offer
unexpectedly great opportunities – not in
the least financially. n
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