sineQN works with utility companies to enable data centre sites
We help utilities teams to understand the wider landscape of our projects and how we can work together to achieve timelines and objectives. Only through teamwork can programmes be optimised and risks mitigated. In urban environments there is complexity in multiple utilities requirements to sites and often significant subterranean space, safety and timing challenges.
Electricity
An increasingly scarce commodity, it is essential to understand the local and national electricity grid configuration for a proposed data centre site so that risk and opportunity can be managed. The DNO or power company’s strategy for infrastructure upgrades and future power in that location must be clearly understood. sineQN has extensive knowledge of power in the core and Tier 2 data centre markets in Europe and can also quickly assimilate opportunities outside of these locations. The result of our expertise and experience in this discipline is ensuring that feasibility and due diligence studies achieve the best possible site selection process.
Water & Drainage
There are often multiple solutions for the supply of water to data centres in an urban environment and sineQN is experienced in the process of working with design teams to establish the best solution and subsequently working with the relevant Water Authorities to secure a supply. Applications to the water supply Authority must be made well in advance of the requirement so that any necessary upgrades to water authority infrastructure can be made.
Similarly, water treatment and drainage design must be agreed with the local Water Authority.
Fibre
Fibre optic distribution remains the principal medium for data transfer nationally and international due to its transmission capability, reliability, and scalability. The subterranean routes used to supply data centres with fibre services must be diverse and resilient. The selection of these routes is a key component in data centre site selection and one which sineQN is experienced in, working in conjunction with carriers and specialists.
Routes and ducts to site
In developing urban data centre sites, one of the many areas that needs to be planned ahead is the availability of subterranean space for services. In modern capital cities space below ground can be constrained due to existing services and other obstructions. Transport routes, rivers, and existing utilities mean that power, heat, water and fibre routes to and from site need to be established at due diligence stage so that any constraints and additional costs can be factored in.