DATA CENTRE PREDICTIONS
while also boasting cleaner energy use and improved carbon reduction .
In this context , the business case for solar is particularly strong . South Africa , for example , receives more than 2,500
ACCORDING TO GARTNER , APPROXIMATELY 10 % OF DATA CENTRE OPERATING EXPENDITURE IS CONSUMED BY POWER COSTS . hours of sunshine per year , with average solar-radiation levels ranging between 4.5 and 6.5kWh / m2 in a single day . The country ’ s average solar radiation of about 220 Watt per square metre is more than double that of Europe ( 100 W / m2 ). Solar , therefore , is one of the most promising renewable energy options to reduce dependency on the grid . The Northern Cape has become a hotspot for solar power plant investments given the impressive solar power generation potential in the area – and we have seen successful examples of solar-powered data centres being established in similar arid and desert-type environments in other parts of the world .
While there is currently no set of industry standards for building ‘ green ’ data centres , with the global shift towards net zero driving the need for carbon reduction , we expect such standards will become a reality in the data centre industry in future . We have seen the trend play out in other commercial property spaces , where green building has become a requirement for most major developers .
This shift will place more emphasis on the role of architects and consulting engineers to continue to produce alternative and operationally cost-efficient designs that reduce energy consumption , reduce carbon emissions and improve the overall operational efficiencies of new data centre projects .
As an organisation that is globally committed to achieving net zero , WSP fully embraces the opportunity that the digital era holds . We are committed to working with our clients to rethink how data centres are designed , built and operated with sustainability principles at their core . This approach ensures that data centres not only perform well in today ’ s context , but are future-proof by design . �
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