Design & Specification

The design objective is to provide data centre space of 2.7 million square feet (252,000 square metres) to 2.9 million square feet (273,000 square metres) gross floor area within 42 modules specifically designed to maximise the potential of ambient air cooling in order to achieve world-class efficiency in operating costs whilst allowing server performance to the highest expected industry service levels. The modules will occupy an exceptionally secure site, which will be provided with resilient power, telecoms and utility services using diverse routes of approach outwith the perimeter and form a supporting ‘tartan grid’ infrastructure within the campus.

Modularisation allows what equates to around 65 Acres of gross building area to be constructed in harmony with the site topography and within a financially feasible framework of investment. The modules will be designed for construction as ‘heavy-weight’ enclosures to facilitate the proposed ambient air cooling by providing a stable internal environment. The structural strength of the buildings will allow the formation of a secure enclosure and provide support for an engineered grass surface finish to the roof, which will respond sensitively to landscape, environmental and ecological requirements, provide in-situ rainwater drainage attenuation, and further assist in ensuring passive thermal stability. Within each module the spaces provided will be flexible in size and specification and the modules will be capable of fulfilling operational requirements across the spectrum of TIER classifications.

Construction will take place in three phases, each of 14 modules, with utility infrastructure brought onto site in a scalable programme of delivery to accommodate each phase. White floor area within each module will be sub-divided into ten or twelve independent, fully compartmentalised ‘cells’. Each cell will be paired with a dedicated cooling array of heat exchangers, have a dedicated switchboard and UPS system, and will share emergency generation within the module. Security and maintenance accommodation together with welfare facilities and clean rooms will be provided within the module.

  • Module gross floor area - 64,500 to 70,000 square feet (6,000 to 6,500 square metres)
  • Module white floor area – 28,000 to 35,000 square feet (2,600 to 3,250 square metres)
  • Cell white floor area (nominal) – 2,700 to 3,500 square feet (250 to 325 square metres)
  • Module gross power supply – 7.5 MW
  • Module white floor power supply – 5.8 to 6.5 MW
  • Module white floor power density – 2.0 to 2.5 kW per square metre
  • Module rack capacity – up to 1440 racks at 0.8 metres in width
  • Power supply per rack – 6.0 kW design average.