forests
Green Datacentres
- Cold Aisle Containment for Maximum Efficiency
- Free Cooling Technology Saving 40-60% on AC
- Renewable Energy Powered UK Facilities
- Thermal Imaging for Precision Climate Control
forests
Green Data Centre Technology
Cold Aisle Containment
Our UK data centres were among the first to combine cold aisle containment with free cooling chillers. Each hall uses a standard hot/cold aisle arrangement with the cold aisles sealed off at either end and a ceiling installed to trap cold air at the front of the racks.
The rest of the room becomes a hot aisle as air returns to the air conditioning units, sitting at 30-35°C while the air flowing through the servers is maintained at a cool 20°C.
40-60% AC Savings
With cold aisle containment, hot air cannot recirculate and mix with the cold air, so we only cool the air once – an obvious energy saver. We can also use a higher output air temperature from the AC units, saving further on power.
Temperature differences between the top and bottom of the racks are much smaller, meaning equipment at the top is less likely to fail. We estimate this approach saves between 40% and 60% on our air conditioning costs.
Free Cooling Technology
Free cooling takes advantage of the UK climate. Whenever the outside temperature is lower than the temperature of the water returning from the data centre, the atmosphere does the work for us and cools the water naturally.
For most days of the year, and pretty much every night, the chillers are doing very little. Even if we lost half of the AC infrastructure, there is enough capacity to keep the rooms cool.
UPS-Powered Fan Systems
We run the fans from the UPS system to keep air moving at all times, even in the event of a power failure. This ensures consistent airflow and cooling regardless of what is happening with the mains power supply.
We also cut the fan speeds needed to pressurise the raised floor void by using baffles to direct cold air precisely where it is needed, reducing wasted energy and improving efficiency.
Thermal Imaging Precision
We use thermal imaging technology to map the airflow and temperature distribution within our cold aisles. This allows us to precisely control the conditions and provide the best possible environment for your data.
By identifying hot spots and optimising airflow, we can ensure every server receives adequate cooling without over-provisioning our AC systems.
Renewable Energy Commitment
Beyond our energy-efficient infrastructure, we power our data centres with renewable energy by choice. We put significant research into finding the right energy supplier and maintain our green ethos at all times.
Combined with our free cooling and containment technologies, we are confident that our data centres are among the greenest in the UK hosting industry.
100%
Renewable
Energy
Trees
We've supported reforestation projects across England, Wales and Scotland, including the Alladale Reserve in the Scottish Highlands, where thousands of native trees – Caledonian pine, alder, holly, aspen and oak – have been planted to regenerate river banks and natural habitats.
Energy
We were one of the first companies to use free cooling in our data centre. Since then we have always used renewable energy by choice, and are certified by The Green Web Foundation to ensure our power comes from legitimate renewable sources.
Infrastructure
We were one of the first UK hosts to combine cold aisle containment and free cooling chillers, saving up to 60% on air conditioning and running our infrastructure at the highest possible efficiency.
Perks
We want to be green through and through. From the renewable energy we use to the eco projects we support across the UK, our commitment to the environment runs through everything we do.
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Green Datacentres FAQ
Cold aisle containment is a data centre design where the cold aisles between server racks are sealed off at either end with a ceiling installed to trap the cool air. This prevents hot and cold air from mixing, allowing the AC units to cool air just once for significant energy savings.
Free cooling uses the UK's naturally cool climate to cool the data centre water without relying heavily on mechanical chillers. For most days and virtually every night of the year, the chillers do very little work. Combined with cold aisle containment, we estimate savings of 40-60% on air conditioning costs.
We host across multiple UK data centres, including purpose-built facilities that were among the first to combine cold aisle containment and free cooling chillers. All our facilities are manned 24/7 with fire suppression and CCTV.
Our fans are powered by the UPS system to keep air moving at all times, even during a power failure. This ensures continuous cooling airflow regardless of mains power status. We also have redundant power supplies and backup systems in place.
We use thermal imaging technology to map the airflow and temperature distribution within our cold aisles. This allows us to precisely control conditions and identify any hot spots before they become a problem, ensuring optimal conditions for your data.
Yes, we use renewable energy by choice to power our data centres. Even after the Climate Change Levy Exemption expired, we continued sourcing renewable energy because it aligns with our core commitment to environmentally responsible hosting.
