TIER 4 DATA CENTRE

The success of data centres in the future will be very much controlled by the type and availability of power. The grid in Switzerland is based on sustainable hydroelectric power, currently enabling Deltalis to draw 4 megawatt, fed from two sub-stations. This carbon neutral supply will be stepped up to 9 megawatt in 2012 and unlike many city centre sites can be subsequently increased significantly to match demand created by hungry servers.

Back up to the grid is diesel generation, which is sited inside the bunker along with Deltalis’ own transformers and enough fuel for 72 hours running. Each unit and its fuel are separately housed and contracts are in place giving the bunkers priority refueling.

A dual circuit hybrid system has been installed. This uses chrome steel pipes that make use of water cooled by the constant low temperature of the surrounding rock that is stored in two reservoirs, each containing 200,000 litres. This works in conjunction with dry chillers that are only used when the need arises.  Continuous cooling is assured even when the heat-pumps have to undergo a restart.

Moving forward the plan is to make greater use of free cooling provided by subterranean streams and lakes that are located in the valley. These have a constant temperature of 12 degrees centigrade.

The server halls are equipped with full hot aisle containment. Cold air is fed through perforated floor tiles to the bottom of the rack in the cold corridors. It then circulates around the servers and is extracted from the top as hot air. This is then recycled. Keeping hot and cold aisle air separated and blanking off unused sections of racking helps maintain the integrity of the system and reduce power consumption.

The UPS units provide emergency power to racks in the event of a grid failure insuring continuous server operation. The power is instantaneous and sufficient to cover the time delay of 30 to 45 seconds prior to the stand-by diesel generators kicking in. Additionally they are also capable of correcting common utility power problems including momentary surges and sags in the mains voltage or smoothing out spikes.

Deltalis has adopted a modular battery design using long life batteries with 8 minutes endurance at full load. The benefits offered by this system are low running costs and the ability to easily and efficiently scale up.

The power within the bunker is also divided into two completely separate A and B grids. Each has its own rooms for power distribution and UPS, as an added fire precaution.

Cables can overheat and if left unattended catch fire. So it is very important to have highly sensitive sensors continually monitoring air quality, which can identify very small smoke particles.

In the unlikely event that fire should start, Deltalis’ fire suppression system fills the area with Nitrogen gas, sufficient to extinguish flames but not affect on-site personnel.

The Deltalis datacentre uses for retail colocation, often purchased as single racks, industry standard 19” units capable of holding 46U, which are lockable by patent protected keys. Each rack is also equipped with at least two PDU’s that monitors power usage and temperature. This information can be checked on demand by clients over the internet and used to plan and balance loads.

Space is also available in larger units as cages, data center suites or complete halls. These can be equipped to customers own specifications and are ideal for large end users, e.g. banks, insurance companies and telecom providers or resellers looking to add a Super Secure green data centre to their portfolios.

The data centre is carrier neutral and benefits from the close proximity of the main north south fibre route which passes through the Gotthard Tunnel.

Deltalis' unique bunker data centre is designed to Tier IV, is carrier neutral, carbon neutral and offers state of the art infrastructure. Can we help you? If so please call or phone using the Contact information appropriate to your country.