Insight Type: News

Embodied carbon: measuring the emissions at the construction stage of MCR2

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Why embodied carbon?

Around one third of a buildingā€™s total emissions are generated during the upfront construction phase, making the measurement and understanding of embodied carbon essential for responsible and sustainable construction practices.

What is embodied carbon?

The whole life cycle emissions of a building consist of operational and embodied carbon emissions. Operational emissions are the emissions associated with the ongoing use of a building (e.g. energy use), whilst embodied carbon emissions are those associated with the construction, maintenance and demolition of buildings.

Embodied carbon may include emissions associated with:

  • raw material extraction (e.g. mining, logging);
  • manufacturing and processing of materials (e.g. steel production, cement mixing);
  • transportation of materials to the construction site;
  • on-site construction activities (e.g. use of machinery, energy consumption);
  • end-of-life disposal or recycling of materials.

Why embodied carbon needs to be measured

  • Immediate impact: embodied carbon emissions are released upfront, which can sometimes be long before a building becomes operational. Unlike operational emissions, which can be reduced over time, embodied carbon cannot be ā€˜undone.
  • Futureproofing: with tightening carbon regulations and policies, understanding embodied carbon at the construction phase is gaining more importance.
  • Sustainability goals: many organisations and governments aim to achieve net-zero carbon targets, and embodied carbon may be part of net zero commitments.

How embodied carbon is calculated

The calculation of embodied carbon for a construction project requires looking at the different stages of a materialā€™s lifecycle.

Scope definition

The first step is defining the boundaries of the calculation. Embodied carbon is typically categorised into four lifecycle stages:

Four lifecycle stages of embodied carbon

Most embodied carbon calculations focus on the A1ā€“A5 stages of product and construction, as these contribute to upfront emissions. However, a full lifecycle assessment (LCA) would also include stages B and C (use and end-of-life) for a more comprehensive analysis.

Material selection

The materials used in the project form the basis of embodied carbon calculations, and every building material has an associated carbon cost. For instance, concrete and steel are highly carbon-intensive due to energy-heavy manufacturing processes. Wood, on the other hand (when sustainably sourced) often has a much lower carbon footprint and can even act as a carbon store.

Gathering data

Two key datasets are used to calculate emissions for each material:

  • Emission factors: these are standardised values that indicate the greenhouse gas emissions for a specific material or activity. For example, the emissions per tonne of concrete produced.
  • Quantities of materials: the exact volume, weight, or area of the materials used in the project.

This data can typically be sourced from Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which are standardised documents provided by manufacturers.

Once the calculations for each material and stage are complete, the data is aggregated to provide a total embodied carbon figure for the entire project. This is often expressed in kilograms or tonnes of COā‚‚ equivalent (tCOā‚‚e).

Datumā€™s embodied carbon assessment for MCR2

Our assessment occurred at the concept design stage and covers the base build of the data centre and focused on the environmental impact of the construction phases and life cycle of MCR2. It was conducted in alignment with BS EN 15978:2011 standards.

Some key figures for MCR2

The embodied carbon study found that 42% of emissions are from the superstructure, 18% from building services, and 18% from internal finishes. The superstructure contributes the majority of emissions due to the structural steel frame.

Three main components – steel, concrete and services (including cooling equipment) – contribute just 23.7% of the total building mass, but make up 69.3% of total embodied carbon of the building.

The suspended ceiling had a very high carbon intensity. Aluminum was the most carbon intense material. Other materials and components that had a higher carbon impact were the windows and doors, insulation, paint, carpet and flooring.

The services associated with the project are also carbon intense, mainly due to the cooling equipment required for data centres.

Our carbon management strategy

We continue to embed sustainability into the core of our operations and, as part of our carbon management strategy, our team will explore whether the design of future buildouts can be further optimised to reduce the carbon impact of the construction phase.

We have 24/7 and 365 energy management systems in place to monitor and optimise our energy usage and PUE, and run a wide variety of initiatives to manage our ongoing carbon impact. Some examples include:

  • integrating solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate clean energy, and heat reuse capability for nearby housing into the design at our Manchester (MCR) site;
  • reducing water usage by 70% by switching from water based cooling (adiabatic) to free cooling technology at our Farnborough (FRN) site.

Securing capacity in MCR2

MCR2 is set to open its doors in Q2 2025, offering a state-of-the-art solution for hosting IT infrastructure and workloads off premise. If you’re planning to migrate your systems, now is the perfect time to reserve your footprint. Get in touch to discuss your requirements.

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Phil Nicholson joins Datum to drive partnership growth

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Datum's new Partner Director

We’re pleased to welcome Phil Nicholson as Datum’s new Partner Director. Phil will be spearheading our efforts to develop new channels and foster vibrant communities within our partner network. With a strong background in cloud-managed services and consulting, Phil has worked extensively with large enterprises, delivering transformative outcomes for their stakeholders.

We caught up with him to ask him some poignant questions. Over to you, Phil ā€¦

A career driving innovation in technology sales

I’ve been fortunate to spend my entire career in the technology industry, navigating a range of dynamic and rewarding roles. My early days were shaped by working with US software giants such as Microsoft, from there I ventured into building Attenda, which grew to become one of the UKā€™s leading IT managed services companies. More recently, I have been privileged to contribute to global advisory and consulting businesses, holding key roles at Gartner and Cognizant. Each experience has deepened my expertise and strengthened my passion for driving innovation in technology.

A notable project in my career

One project I am particularly proud of from my time at Attenda was the development and leadership of client engagement and delivery teams. Over the course of more than 10 years, I worked closely with these teams to achieve exceptional outcomes in client loyalty and satisfaction. By fostering strong relationships, implementing effective strategies, and maintaining a commitment to excellence, we consistently elevated the client experience. This achievement was not only a testament to the team’s dedication but also to the robust frameworks we built to ensure long-lasting success with our clients.

Why the move to Datum?

What excites me most about joining Datum is the incredible opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of a company Iā€™ve admired for over a decade. Having observed Datumā€™s evolution over the past 12 years into a premium enterprise-grade data centre provider with multiple locations and an unrivalled client base, Iā€™m thrilled to now be part of the team. Datumā€™s success has been built on strong relationships with its channel partners, consultancies, and commercial property advisors, and the chance to advance these partnerships further is truly motivating. With new capacity being introduced in Farnborough and Manchester, Iā€™m eager to help accelerate growth in these channels and continue building Datumā€™s reputation as a trusted partner in the industry.

Top priorities for my first 100 days at Datum

My top priorities are to rapidly gain a deep understanding of the business, its capabilities, and its client and partner ecosystem. I also plan to meet as many clients and partners as possible to foster strong relationships and ensure alignment with their goals. With Datum’s ambitious targets for 2025, itā€™s critical to hit the ground running – starting early will position us for success and enable us to achieve our objectives.

Sustaining motivation ā€“ passions and hobbies outside work

Outside of work, my passions are centred around seasonal outdoor activities that keep me inspired and energised. During winter, youā€™ll find me on the ski slopes in France, fully immersed in the thrill of the mountains. When summer arrives, I enjoy road cycling or hiking in both the UK and France. To add to the mix, I also indulge in a bit of waterskiing whenever I can – Iā€™m always drawn to anything that combines the outdoors with an active lifestyle.

Weā€™re excited to welcome Phil to our growing team. His wealth of experience and strategic insights make him an invaluable addition as we continue to expand and strengthen our partnership network – Datum Connect – a vital extension of our services. By complementing and enhancing our core colocation offerings, our partners enable us to remain singularly focused on delivering exceptional colocation solutions. Being part of the Datum ecosystem opens the door to shared opportunities, collaborative marketing efforts, and combined service offerings. Some of our partners provide complementary solutions that help clients achieve their business objectives, while others benefit from referring or reselling our expert, accredited colocation services. Interested in joining our network? Get in touch to explore the possibilities.

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'Lunch with a view': behind the scenes at Datumā€™s MCR2 project

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A view of our progress

Hosted at our Manchester office, our first ā€˜lunch with a viewā€™ event offered an exclusive preview of MCR2, our cutting-edge data centre facility in the advanced stages of construction. Attendees included not only some of our valued current clients but also prospective new ones. The discussions were engaging and insightful, and we were pleased to receive positive feedback on the projectā€™s progress and vision.

In a relaxed and informal atmosphere, attendees gathered in the 6th-floor boardroom, which served as a viewing gallery of the project site ā€“ a vantage point providing a first-hand glimpse into the scale and ambition of the MCR2 project as it takes shape.

Conversations that mattered

The event wasnā€™t just about the view (perhaps just as well considering the less than ideal weather conditions) – it was about meaningful conversation. Hosting the lunch were Datumā€™s COO, Matt Edgely, and Seb Graham, Group Head of Sales, who facilitated discussions and fielded questions throughout.

MCR2ā€™s environmental credentials

As well as MCR2ā€™s anticipated capacity and impressive resilience standards (reassuring for our clients/potential clients who depend on robust and efficient data centre solutions), key talking points included Datumā€™s sustainability initiatives, which underscore all aspects of the MCR2 construction process. Of particular relevance here were the use of PV panels and the incorporated heat reuse capability, which will harness waste heat for conditioning, reuse and delivery to local projects in the Wythenshawe area of Manchester.

AI and data centres

Another key topic of discussion was AI in the data centre space. While AI promises remarkable enhancements in efficiency, scalability, and operational accuracy, our conversations showed that its current impact on data centre operations is nuanced. AI systems, particularly those implementing advanced machine learning or deep learning models, are exceptionally resource intensive, and rely heavily on GPU to handle massive amounts of data at high speeds. This reliance makes AI hardware and operations costly to deploy and sustain, with substantial power requirements adding to the total expenditure. We are seeing that the enterprise market has so far seen minimal immediate upheaval in terms of power capacity requirements or hardware usage in relation to AI, and that the up to 30kW per cabinet we provide is more than enough to accommodate the power demands of our clients, even those carrying out early-stage AI experimentation. As innovation in AI hardware continues, its adoption is likely to proliferate and, like all new technologies, it will progressively become more energy-efficient and cost-effective.

Building anticipation

Datumā€™s ‘lunch with a view’ acted as a prelude to full white space tours, which are set to take place closer to MCR2ā€™s official opening at the end of Q1 2025.

Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the unveiling of MCR2, and to ensure you donā€™t miss future events and insights into Datum projects. Or contact us directly for more information.

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How the 2024 budget will impact the data centre sector

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The impact of the budget

The recent UK budget introduced a series of financial initiatives and policies aimed at propelling the UK towards a more innovative, efficient, and sustainable future. Technology is a pivotal driver of economic growth, so understanding the nuances of the budget and its implications is essential for strategic planning and resource management.

Key budget provisions affecting data centres

Investment in green technology

One of the central themes of the 2024 budget is sustainability, with significant investments directed towards green technology in line with the UK’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions. There is now an urgent call for data centres to adopt energy-efficient practices, so the government has unveiled incentives for data centres that adopt energy-efficient technologies in a drive to reduce carbon footprints.


What weā€™re doing

  • We have implemented an energy-efficient cooling system across our sites that reduces power and water consumption (the latter by 70%).
  • Our backup generators now operate on biofuel, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and enabling a cleaner energy profile.
  • All our data centres are powered entirely by electricity from renewable sources.
  • Our newest data centre ā€“ MCR2 in Manchester (currently under construction) – is equipped with photovoltaic (PV) panels to harness solar energy. Furthermore, heat re-use capabilities have been designed into the build, allowing us to repurpose excess heat for conditioning, reuse and delivery to local projects in the Wythenshawe area of Manchester.

Enhanced cybersecurity measures

The budget emphasises strengthening the UK’s cyber resilience, with additional funding earmarked for cybersecurity initiatives protecting national digital assets. Data centres, as critical components of digital infrastructure, will need to align with these enhanced measures.


What weā€™re doing

  • Our sites are protected by 24/7 on-site security personnel, comprehensive CCTV coverage, robust multi-level access controls, biometric verification, cutting-edge intruder detection and alarm systems, and stringent key management protocols. Our sites are designed to support the needs of highly regulated industries where security is paramount ā€“ our Manchester site features a Security and Operations Control Centre (SOC) and an on-site police-linked alarm receiving centre, and our Farnborough site is located on the ultra-secure, government-grade Cody Technology Park.

Digital infrastructure development

The 2024 budget outlines a strong commitment to upgrading the nation’s digital infrastructure, including faster broadband and enhanced connectivity solutions for better data transfer and operations. Organisations should evaluate how improved infrastructure can support their data centre’s capacity and performance upgrades, potentially opening up opportunities for expansion and improved service delivery.


What weā€™re doing

Our data centres provided the resilience, security and platform for organisations to complete their digital transformation. As such, we are continuing to expand our capacities and ensure low-latency connectivity to facilitate the integration of emerging technologies by our clients.

Skills and training

Recognising the skills gap in the IT sector, the UK 2024 budget includes programmes aimed at upskilling workers in technology and data management to meet the demands of a digital economy. With an emphasis on developing digital skills, data centres will benefit from a larger pool of skilled professionals thanks to partnerships with educational institutions and government-led training initiatives.


What weā€™re doing

Our growing company is focused on developing talent from within to ensure a robust and future-ready workforce. By investing in continuous professional development, we are not only equipping our staff with the necessary skills to excel in their roles, but also fostering a culture of learning and growth that they carry forward throughout their careers.

Funding for R&D and innovation

One of the standout elements of this year’s budget is the substantial increase in funding for research and development. The government is keen to position the UK as a leader in technological innovation, with significant investments channelled towards encouraging advancements in data processing and cloud technologies.


What weā€™re doing

Data centres like ours are integral to the R&D landscape, providing the infrastructure necessary for current and future large-scale processing and storage, and driving technological innovation.

Public service transformation through digitalisation

The budget also places a strong emphasis on transforming public services through digitalisation. By integrating advanced data management systems, the aim is to enhance efficiency and service delivery across various public sectors.

With the push for digitalisation, data centres are likely to experience a surge in demand from public service providers seeking to upgrade their systems and infrastructure, and this, in turn, will create a greater demand for the stringent security provided by data centres in a bid to safeguard public data.


What weā€™re doing

We understand the unique challenges faced by IT professionals in the public sector and have demonstrated time and again that our bespoke solutions, tailored to meet the specific needs of their operations, ensure the resilience, efficiency, and scalability needed for government applications and public service delivery.ā€Æ

Find out more

We understand that staying ahead of technological advancements is crucial for economic growth, and thatā€™s why our data centres are expanding to meet the increasing demands of modern businesses. If you’re looking to future-proof your operations and optimise your IT strategies, get in touch to discuss how we can help you get where you want to be.

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Reflections on techUK's report: how data centres can boost UK economic growth

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About techUK's report

In an age where digital technology is at the heart of economic advancement, data centres have emerged as the backbone of the UK’s digital infrastructure. A recent report by techUK, a trade association fostering innovation and collaboration across business, government, and stakeholders, underscores the immense contribution that data centres make to the UK economy. In partnership with Henham Strategy, techUK has provided a detailed examination of the sector, presenting both quantitative and qualitative evidence of its importance, alongside strategic recommendations for its growth.

The economic contribution of data centres

The report presents compelling evidence of the data centre sector’s substantial impact on the UK economy. Currently, data centres annually contribute Ā£4.7 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA), support 43,500 jobs, and provide Ā£640 million in taxes to the exchequer. These figures alone highlight the sector’s significance, but what’s even more promising is the projected annual growth rate of 10-15%, signalling further economic benefits.

To harness the full potential of data centres, the report calls for greater collaboration between industry leaders and both central and local governments. This collaboration is crucial for providing the necessary power, connectivity, and skilled workforce required to sustain growth in a sector that is critical to economic growth.

Drawing lessons from various regions, the report highlights examples of successful data centre projects, including our own ongoing MCR2 construction project in Manchester in collaboration with our long-standing partner, Keysource. This project exemplifies sustainable development, aligning with our commitment to delivering high-quality, resilient, and secure solutions. Such examples demonstrate the importance of integrating sustainability into growth strategies, ensuring long-term benefits for both the economy and the environment.

techUK's key recommendations

The report by techUK is insightful and comprehensive ā€“ for the purposes of this article, we have extracted and focused on a few key recommendations made by techUK across four areas to bolster the data centre sector’s contribution to the national economy. To get the full picture, we strongly suggest reading the full report.

Energy

The report recognises the industry’s strides towards securing low and carbon-free energy supplies. To further this progress, techUK suggests actions that should be taken at policy level such as monitoring and reporting on connection queues and reforming queue processes to ensure timely market entry of projects, monitoring energy costs, and providing open data on grid connection timescales and project options for developers and investors to enable contractual certainty and flexibility (especially with potential digital infrastructure demand increases).

ā€œIt is incumbent upon data centre operators to make responsible energy choices that align with sustainability goals. While generating our own electricity might not be feasible, we do have the power to choose where our energy comes from and ensure it is environmentally friendly. This means going beyond merely purchasing certificates that claim renewable energy use – it requires a commitment to sourcing genuine, renewable, and zero-carbon electricity. We achieve this by partnering with suppliers like Bryt Energy, a provider of 100% renewable electricity for our entire electricity supplyā€ (Dominic Phillips, Datum CEO).

Sustainability

Despite a doubling of data centre workload since 2015, electricity demand from data centres has remained stable, which demonstrates the progress the data centre sector has made in driving efficiencies. techUK advocates for a number of measures to further reduce environmental impact and promote sustainable operations, including rewarding operators who have robust net-zero plans in place, and ensuring flexible rules around heat export.

  • Our experience: Our Embodied Carbon Impact Assessment Report evaluated the expected carbon footprint of our ongoing Manchester data centre construction project (MCR2), guiding decisions on sustainable infrastructure and building material selection – we prioritised locally manufactured materials and employed local labour and subcontractors wherever possible, reinforcing our commitment to supporting the community and reducing transportation emissions. Furthermore, the cooling systems have been designed with heat recovery capabilities and we are in the early stages of discussions with local stakeholders to channel this recovered heat into a community heat network project.

Planning

According to techUK, reforming the UKā€™s planning system is essential to unlocking the full potential of data centres to drive significant economic growth. Amongst other things, techUK recommends allocating resources within local planning authorities to efficiently progress data centre applications.

ā€œWe are pleased to report that we have had a very positive experience with our ongoing construction of MCR2 – our collaboration with a communicative local planning authority has been instrumental, providing clear and helpful guidance throughout the design and build process. From the outset, we designed MCR2 to reflect sustainable best practice, incorporating features like photovoltaic systems, heat recovery, and on-site EV chargers. We also designed the building to ensure that it complements its local surroundings, which helped avoid any significant planning hurdles. We have prioritised environmental considerations by minimising noise and integrating a substantial attenuation tank to support public drainage systems during severe storms, reducing flooding risksā€ (Matt Edgley, Datum COO).

Skills development

Addressing the skills gap is vital for the sector’s future. The report urges central and local governments to implement policies that promote the development of digital and technical skills to ensure that the next generation is equipped to thrive in careers within data centres, sustaining the industry’s momentum.

  • Our experience: As a growing company, weā€™re acutely aware of the need to foster an environment that encourages continuous learning and skills development. We recognise the importance of nurturing our team to develop the technical skills and expertise required to thrive in this sector.

Find out more

The contribution of data centres extends beyond mere infrastructure – they significantly impact the economy at local, regional, and national levels, and create employment opportunities. The industry is spearheading innovations and initiatives to enhance the resilience, sustainability, and efficiency of data centres but, despite these advancements, the sector faces several challenges that need addressing to fully harness its potential in driving economic growth within the UK. Overcoming these hurdles will be crucial to ensure that data centres continue to support the nation’s digital infrastructure and economic development.

The full techUK report is available here. Or, to talk to us about your data centre requirements, please get in touch with a member of our team.

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Results of our latest GRESB assessment

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Our 2024 GRESB rating

We are pleased to have achieved a GRESB rating of 90 out of a total 100 during our latest GRESB assessment. The GRESB assessment, which uses a wide range of measurements to develop its scores, has shown that despite our significant growth in company size – effectively doubling the criteria on which we are judged – we have managed to nearly maintain our previous score of 92.

This yearā€™s score is testament to our ongoing commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and robust governance within the data centre industry, and is particularly encouraging when compared to the overall GRESB average of 85, and the peer group average of 82.

What is GRESB?

The Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) is an industry-driven organisation that assesses the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance of real estate assets around the globe. The GRESB assessments are structured to provide valuable insights into how organisations manage key ESG factors, allowing stakeholders to make informed decisions and drive progress in sustainability.

Why GRESB is important

GRESB is pivotal for several reasons:

  • Benchmarking: it provides a standardised and transparent benchmark that allows companies to compare their ESG performance against peers.
  • Investor focus: investors use GRESB scores to measure the sustainability performance of their portfolios.
  • Risk management: by identifying strengths and areas for improvement, organisations can mitigate risks associated with ESG factors.

Whatā€™s changed since last year?

The GRESB scheme is evolving, and achieving the highest scores is increasingly challenging for participants. The scheme demands more comprehensive documentation and rigorous processes. Climate risk became a scored element this year, adding another dimension of complexity to the scheme. Furthermore, the star rating boundaries have been progressively rising each year, pushing organisations towards continuous improvement in sustainability practices. This evolution underscores GRESB’s commitment to enhancing industry standards and encouraging stakeholders to advance their sustainability efforts proactively.

Notably, both our Manchester (MCR) and Farnborough (FRN) sites were included in our GRESB submission this year. By including both locations, we now benefit from a clearer, more holistic view of our sustainability performance, enabling us to identify areas for improvement and enhance our strategic planning across these key facilities.

Our performance in the latest assessment

In this year’s assessment, we ranked 10th out of 19 data centres participating in the GRESB scheme. Most notably, we are thrilled to see that we scored higher than the peer group average across all of the key assessment components highlighted below:

  • Environmental: our score was 21 out of 22 (above the peer group average of 19).
  • Social: our score was 46 out of 50 (above the peer group average of 43).
  • Governance: our score was 23 out of 28 (above the peer group average of 20).
  • GRESB score: our score was 90 out of 100 (above the peer group average of 82).
  • Management score: our score was 37 out of 40 (above the peer group average of 32).
  • Performance score: our score was 53 out of 60 (above the peer group average of 51).

Key indicators and highlights

The GRESB assessment measures performance against 17 key indicators, providing a comprehensive view of our ESG standing. Our scores across these indicators offer invaluable insights into our strengths and areas needing improvement.
We scored particularly well in the following areas:

  • Leadership: our leadership team has been instrumental in driving ESG initiatives.
  • Reporting: we maintain transparent and thorough reporting practices.
  • Risk management: our risk management protocols are robust and proactive.
  • Energy: we have made significant strides in energy efficiency.
  • Health and safety: our health and safety measures ensure a secure environment for all stakeholders.

Our sustainability strategy

As part of our sustainability strategy, we are deeply committed to proactive sustainability management across all facets of our operations and are convinced that operational excellence can be combined with environmental efficiency. As such, we actively support and lead the charge in integrating sustainable design, construction, and operation practices within the data centre industry.

We are extremely pleased with our GRESB results, which have demonstrated our commitment to sustainable practices, however, we are not resting on our laurels; we are using the GRESB benchmark report to identify areas where we can make further improvements to our ESG performance.

Find out more

If youā€™re looking for a data centre partner that places sustainability at the core of its operations, then look no further. Talk to a member of our team to discuss your requirements.

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Catch ups and collaboration at our autumn tech networking event

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Our most recent event

Last week, colleagues and partners from across the tech industry gathered for our quarterly tech business networking event in Manchester. Hosted by us at Box Deansgate, this event brought together industry professionals from diverse fields such as data centres, network infrastructure, cloud services, MSPs, telecoms, and more. It was an evening to reconnect over a few beers and slices of pizza while discussing the latest trends and developments in the world of tech.

A melting pot of tech talent

This autumn’s event was our biggest yet, with a fantastic turnout of both familiar faces and new guests. Our regular attendees were joined by an influx of new participants, making the atmosphere vibrant and dynamic. These events are designed to be relaxed and friendly, providing an informal environment for networking without the pressures of referrals, lengthy presentations, or pushy sales pitches.

What makes our events special

Our aim is to create a space where everyone – clients, partners, competitors, and more – can come together to make new connections, catch up with old contacts, and discuss all things tech. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the industry, our networking events offer a welcoming space to share ideas and insights.

Why networking matters

There’s no doubt that networking is a powerful tool for connecting with new people in your industry, meeting potential clients and collaborators, and discovering new business opportunities. However, finding the right events to attend can sometimes be a challenge. That’s where our quarterly tech business networking events come in. They are perfect for anyone interested in catching up with industry peers and staying updated on the latest tech trends.

Join us at our next event

Our tech networking events provide a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals in a relaxed and friendly setting. Don’t miss out on the chance to expand your network and gain valuable insights into the world of tech. If you’re interested in joining us at a future event or would like to sponsor our next ‘Get Reconnected’, get in touch via our website here. You can also sign up to our events mailing list for updates here, or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter/X. We look forward to welcoming you!

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UK data centres designated critical national infrastructure status

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A new era for data centres

In a significant move for the digital economy, the UKā€™s Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, has officially designated data centres as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). This is the first CNI designation in almost a decade, following the space and defence sectors’ recognition in 2015. This landmark decision underscores the essential role of data centres, placing them on par with vital systems such as water, energy, and emergency services.

Government support and security measures

Designating data centres as CNI marks a pivotal moment for the industry. This status equips the government to better support the sector during critical incidents, thereby minimising economic impacts and ensuring greater stability for businesses operating in the UK.

CNI designation involves the establishment of a dedicated CNI data infrastructure team comprising senior officials. This team will:

  • monitor and anticipate potential threats;
  • provide prioritised access to security agencies, including the National Cyber Security Centre;
  • coordinate access to emergency services when incidents occur.

These measures will not only bolster the resilience of data centres but also deter cyber criminals from targeting facilities that house sensitive health and financial data, thus minimising disruptions to the NHS, the economy, and daily life.

Why this matters ā€¦

Data centres are integral to the functioning of the digital economy, powering everything from online transactions to cloud storage, and the UK hosts the highest number of data centres in Western Europe. By boosting the resilience of the data centre sector, the UK aims to further its position as a global leader in data security.

This designation brings a new layer of reassurance and support. Knowing that data centres have CNI status means:

  • enhanced coordination with government bodies during cyber threats and emergencies;
  • prioritised security measures to safeguard vital data;
  • increased confidence for businesses considering setting up or expanding their operations in the UK.

More critical infrastructure on the way!

Awarding CNI status to data centres is a testament to their fundamental importance to the government and the economy. We’re proud to be contributing to this critical infrastructure through the construction of a new data centre facility (MCR2) in Manchester, with another in the pipeline (FRN2) at our Farnborough site. Get in touch to find out more.

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MCR2 - a focus on sustainability

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Our environmental credentials

Our new Manchester data centre (MCR2) is currently being developed next door to our existing facility in Wythenshawe. The build is well underway, with opening scheduled for early 2025. In this blog, weā€™re taking a look at some of the sustainability features that have been put in place to ensure that environmentally efficient best practices and standards are being embedded across all parts of the build process, from design to implementation, as part of our wider sustainability strategy.

Datum currently participates in the GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) assessment process – a standardised framework for evaluating and comparing the sustainability efforts of different entities. We received a rating of 92 out of 100 during our 2023 assessment (compared to an average of 85 in our GRESB peer group).

About MCR2

As a data centre provider, we have a responsibility to our clients to ensure that continuous capacity is available and is delivered sustainably, supporting clients as they strive to meet their ESG targets. We hope to be able to expand fast enough to meet demand in the Manchester region, so that we can support our clientsā€™ growth through resilient, secure and dependable data centre services and hosting solutions.

Once complete, our new Manchester DC will offer over 25,000 sq ft of enterprise-grade colocation space with 2N power redundancy, 100% 24/7 uptime, ISO27001 certification and NSI Gold Approved BS5979 security.

Construction

In order to develop our new site, an existing building needed to be demolished, replacing an older property with a new, more modern, energy efficient facility. This was determined to be the most environmentally efficient solution to support our expansion. Our waste management program ensured that all waste from the demolished building was handled efficiently and recycled where possible.

During construction, materials are being sourced from local suppliers wherever possible. We have also conducted an embodied carbon impact assessment to understand and minimise environmental impacts of the data centre construction. The project also includes a biodiversity plan to protect nature and reverse the degradation of ecosystems.

Power

MCR2 will be powered using clean energy from renewable sources with green certificates and solar PV roof panels. The PV system will generate over 83,000 kWh/yr with a CO2 emissions reduction of over 7.4 tonnes annually. Renewable HVO (hydrogenated vegetable oil) biofuels will fuel the emergency generators.

Cooling

A chilled water-cooling system with free cooling technology will be adopted, taking advantage of ambient temperatures to reduce the amount of energy required to power chillers.

Heat re-use

Our new data centre facility is being designed with the capability for heat exchangers to be connected to the cooling infrastructure to transfer the thermal load of the data centre cooling loop to a future local community heating network via a heat pump system. This will also reduce the amount of energy needed to deliver the required data centre cooling operation.

In addition, MCR2 is being specifically designed to handle an external ambient temperature of 40+Ā°C, to help mitigate climate change risks related to extreme heat.

We are targeting a PUE of 1.2 with MCR2.

Interested in finding our more?

If you have any questions about MCR2 or are interested in registering for a tour of our new facility, please get in touch via the form here, or at info@datum.co.uk and a member of the team would be happy to arrange to chat further with you.

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An afternoon at Farnborough International Airshow

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An afternoon at Farnborough International Airshow

This week we took a group of 50 clients, partners and colleagues to the Farnborough International Airshow. Starting with a delicious buffet lunch at The Swan, we then headed over to the airshow to watch the flying displays and to network at this prestigious industry event.

About Farnborough Airshow

Farnborough International Airshow is a leading aerospace event, having hosted some of the biggest and most successful events in the ever-changing aviation industry. The event boasts more than 1500 exhibitors, 100,000sqm of exhibition space, a static aircraft and flying display, and over 80,000 visitors over the trade days. The airshow offers unparalleled networking opportunities, along with exciting show features and flying displays, all centred around the key themes of the industry today.

The exciting world of aviation

This year’s flying displays saw a great range of planes and helicopters both on display and taking part in the flying displays, including the United States Air Force F-16M Fighting Falcon, the Boeing F-15QA, Italian Airforce Eurofighter Typhoons, the United States Army CH-47F Chinook and many, many more.

The show followed six key themes – space, defence, sustainability, innovation, future flight and workforce which were designed to help visitors network with similar businesses as well as explore potential opportunities in different fields.

Thank you to our clients and partners

We would like to thank our clients and partners for joining us for this exciting and innovative event, we had some really great conversations over lunch and thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon with you all.

Same time next year!?

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