Data center

A data center is a purpose-designed building or facility where large volumes of digital data are stored and processed using servers and computers. Data centers have advanced cooling, power supply, and security systems that ensure the operation and safety of equipment and data. Data centers are the foundation of modern digital society.

A data center stores, processes, and distributes digital data.

It is a building with thousands of servers that support, for example:

• websites and cloud services
• applications and social media platforms
• corporate data and databases
• email and file storage

Simply put, a data center is the physical "home" of the internet and digital services.

Data center project preparation must consider:

• Stormwater, environmental, and soil buildability studies
• Taking sustainability into account from the perspective of the surrounding environment and energy efficiency
• Environmental impact assessment
• Ecological, noise, and traffic studies
• Zoning
• Energy efficiency and carbon footprint
• Geospatial data
• Project management
• Geotechnical, infrastructure, structural, and building systems expertise
• Other permitting processes and regulatory matters

Comprehensive stormwater, environmental, and soil buildability studies are essential in data center project preparation. Considering sustainability from both an environmental and energy efficiency perspective is the foundation of a data center project from the start. Geospatial technology and data, in turn, facilitate tasks such as determining the optimal building location.

From Sitowise, you get all the studies required for the project, project management services, and geotechnical, infrastructure, structural, and building systems expertise—not to mention comprehensive sustainability services.

We understand the environmental requirements of the permitting process and ensure efficient project launch for your data center. We have extensive experience with environmental impact assessments, ecological, noise, and traffic studies, as well as zoning. With our help, you can also get various permit matters (environmental, water, and chemical) in order.

Our project management services cover everything from design to construction management. When needed, we also act as expert support for the owner's project manager, develop the project status overview, operating model, and roadmap, and implement guiding actions. We also evaluate the impact of different design solutions on data center energy efficiency, lifecycle carbon footprint, and costs.

The efficient and reliable operation of data centers is based on careful building systems and structural design. Critical factors include cooling systems that manage equipment heat loads, as well as assured power supply and backup power that ensure uninterrupted data center operations. Energy system design also emphasizes waste heat recovery, which can be implemented either locally or integrated as part of a centralized energy system, such as district heating production. An energy system designed this way not only improves the data center's energy efficiency but also supports environmental objectives and contributes to reducing society's overall energy consumption.

Structurally, data centers must be designed considering general requirements, essential technical requirements, as well as construction permitting procedures and regulatory oversight. Essential technical requirements concern structural strength and stability, fire safety, and health, among other things. Operational safety, accessibility, noise control, and acoustic conditions must also be addressed (reference: Ministry of the Environment, Finnish Building Code).

Electrical and fire safety systems keep facilities safe and operational. Additionally, backup systems for telecommunications, effective physical security, and fire suppression support continuous operation. Beyond all this, design must consider energy efficiency and flexibility so that facilities can continue to evolve with the technology environment in the future.

In designing data center energy systems, we emphasize waste heat recovery, which can be implemented either locally or integrated as part of a centralized energy system, such as district heating production. An energy system designed this way not only improves the data center's energy efficiency but also supports environmental objectives and contributes to reducing society's overall energy consumption.

• Our project management and construction management services cover all lifecycle phases and delivery methods of data center projects - from design through construction management.
• In construction management, we act as expert support for the owner's project manager, develop the project roadmap and operating model, maintain situational awareness of project progress, and implement guiding actions. We also evaluate the impact of different design solutions on data center energy efficiency, lifecycle carbon footprint, and costs.
• During the construction phase, our supervision and coordination experts ensure compliance with regulations and plans as well as healthy and safe operations.
• In data center projects executed using the project management model (EPCM & PMC), we are responsible for delivering the entire project so that the financial, schedule, and quality objectives set for the project are met. In project management delivery projects, our operating model enables client-focused project management, cost-effective procurement execution, and safe & efficient site administration and management.

Modernizing a well-located data center to meet current power density requirements can be a cost-effective way to scale operations. The capacity of a typical early 2000s data center can often be increased up to tenfold, while simultaneously updating sustainability and energy efficiency requirements to current standards.

We bring an old data center into the present day by upgrading the facility's energy efficiency, sustainability, and security.