Your personal data center project

The power consumption of a data center depends on various factors, including:

• Technical components such as uninterruptible power supply (UPS), cooling systems, and monitoring.
• Availability classes: Higher availability often requires more redundancy and technology, which affects power consumption.

You can use our data center configurator to plan the energy requirements of your data center. We will create a customized quote based on your configuration. We also perform energy efficiency analyses and are happy to develop an initial rough concept.

Energy efficiency – our approach
The key to increasing energy efficiency lies in optimizing power usage effectiveness (PUE).

• Goal: To keep the difference between the energy consumption of IT equipment and total consumption as low as possible.
• Measures: All systems, including IT hardware, cooling systems, and power supply, operate as efficiently as possible. In addition, the utilization of IT components is maximized.

Sustainability and future-proofing
The growth of the data center industry requires sustainable solutions to minimize resource requirements while reducing the ecological footprint:

• Energy-efficient: We plan and build IT infrastructures according to the latest standards and use state-of-the-art technology to ensure maximum energy efficiency.
• Sustainable and future-proof: Our planning is based on ESG standards to protect the environment and ensure your long-term competitiveness.

With our expertise, we guarantee that your data center will meet not only efficiency requirements but also sustainability requirements.

Sustainable data centers place emphasis on energy efficiency, resource conservation, and future-proofing. Our goal is to use innovative planning to reduce the data center industry's growing resource requirements without slowing down growth. We achieve this through the following key measures:

• Energy efficiency: We plan data centers according to the latest standards and with state-of-the-art technology to ensure maximum energy savings.
• Resource conservation: Efficient use of water, building materials, and waste heat minimizes the impact on the environment. Waste is reduced and sustainable materials are used.
• Future-proofing: All planning and implementation is carried out in accordance with ESG standards to ensure long-term sustainability and competitiveness.

However, our ideas go far beyond this: we integrate, for example, waste heat recovery, photovoltaics, recycling of sustainable building materials, innovative certifications such as the “Blue Angel,” and continue to research advanced solutions for the data center of the future. Discover more information in our interactive infographic. 

To select the right availability class for your data center, we analyze the specific requirements of your industry. This is particularly important in critical infrastructures (KRITIS). 
Critical infrastructures include the following industries: water, energy, food, finance and insurance, health, information technology and telecommunications, municipal waste disposal, media and culture, government and administration, and transport and traffic.

We offer comprehensive certification consulting and guide you through standards such as:
•    DIN EN 50600: Standards compliance of your entire IT infrastructure, including analysis of the current status and measures for compliance.
•    BSI IT-Grundschutz: Securing your IT infrastructure against physical and digital threats in accordance with the specifications of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI).
•    DIN EN ISO 50001: Focus on energy savings through the introduction of an energy management system (EMS).
•    Uptime TIER: We can support you in obtaining certification according to various availability standards (TIER I to IV) to guarantee maximum availability and reliability.
•    Blue Angel: Environmental seal of approval for sustainable and energy-efficient data centers.

In addition, we offer structured certification support and assistance from experienced energy management officers (EMB) to improve processes and save time. 

Depending on the required availability class and individual application, we help you implement the appropriate measures, from redundant power and data lines to state-of-the-art security technologies and optimized cooling.
 

Every company has individual requirements for a data center. Factors such as location, security, connectivity, and future-proofing determine which solution is best suited. Our portfolio includes a wide range of options:

• New construction: Achieve maximum individuality. We support you from the initial idea to the handover of keys, regardless of the size or complexity of your project.
• Upgrading: Optimize existing data centers through reengineering measures that increase efficiency and sustainability without the need for extensive new construction.
• Modular construction: Flexible and fast, thanks to plug-and-play room modules that can be dynamically adapted to your requirements.
• Indoor data centers: Make efficient use of existing building structures – ideal for smaller requirements or locations with limited options.
• Outdoor data centers: Quickly deployable solutions, even in remote locations, e.g., using container modules.
• Micro Data Center (DC IT Safe): Perfect for smaller companies or growing requirements – start small and scale as needed.

We also offer special security solutions such as data center shielding, which provides protection against electromagnetic attacks and espionage. Our experts will be happy to help you find the best option for your business.

A data center requires a well-designed infrastructure to guarantee maximum availability and security. The most important elements are:

• Power supply: Emergency power systems (EPS) and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) ensure operation even in the event of failures.
• Cooling: Innovative systems such as water cooling, refrigeration systems, or hot/cold aisle containment optimize energy consumption and temperature control.
• Fire protection: Early fire detection and extinguishing systems protect both infrastructure and data.
• Access control and security: Systems such as key locks, chip cards, keylocks, two-factor authentication, iris scanners, voice recognition, and other biometric technologies offer comprehensive protection against unauthorized access. This is supplemented by video surveillance and intrusion detection systems.
• Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of all systems reduces the risk of failures.

With our team, we develop customized solutions for you that meet your requirements for security, redundancy, and efficiency.

The construction of a data center begins with a thorough site and risk assessment to analyze all influencing factors and potential hazards. The most important aspects that must be taken into account include:

• Risk factors: Geographical and meteorological conditions such as flood risk, lightning strikes, earthquakes, or proximity to critical risk areas.
• Connectivity: A stable and reliable connection via fiber optic networks and alternative data lines is essential.
• Energy supply: The supply must be checked in terms of availability, redundancy, and efficiency.
• Building regulations: Relevant regulations, including development plans (B-Plan) and standards such as DIN EN 50600, must be complied with.
• Flexibility and future-proofing: The location should be chosen and planned in such a way that it offers sufficient potential for expansion and future developments, thus meeting increasing requirements in the long term.

Careful planning is the basis for the successful construction of a high-performance, future-proof data center. We support our customers in all project phases: from analysis and the development of suitable strategies, such as the implementation of DIN EN 50600 or the implementation of energy-efficient and secure solutions, to complete realization. In doing so, we attach particular importance to taking all relevant aspects such as cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and security into account.

To create a sound basis for planning, we offer comprehensive analysis packages that are modular in structure and can be used depending on the project phase or requirements:

1. DC initial workshop: We bring all parties involved up to the same level of knowledge, clarify relevant dependencies, and plan the next steps. The focus is on transparency and clear decision-making criteria.
2. DC environment analysis: Geographical opportunities and risks are carefully examined, for example, meteorological hazards such as heavy rain or lightning frequency, as well as geological risks such as earthquakes.
3. DC development analysis: We evaluate the energy and data connections at the site and check what infrastructure is available.
4. DC delta analysis: We analyze existing data centers for compliance with standards such as DIN EN 50600 or the requirements of the Uptime Tier Standards. Deviations and optimization measures are documented.5. DC KRITIS analysis: For companies that fall under the KRITIS regulation (critical infrastructures), we analyze the industry-specific requirements and develop tailor-made solutions for your location.
5. DC rough concept: All framework conditions and implementation measures are incorporated into a clear concept. It contains all the essential information needed to subsequently check the space requirements and derive costs for the IT budget.
6. Subsidy management: In each project phase, we check possible subsidy programs and support you in applying for funds.

The costs for building and operating a data center depend on various factors. With the help of our data center configurator, we will be happy to create a customized quote and cost estimate for you.

Construction costs
Investments are influenced by:

• Size and capacity: Server space, rack volume, and expansion options.
• Availability classes: Higher standards (e.g., uptime TIER) require more redundancy and systems.
• Technology and location: Equipment such as UPS, fire protection, or cooling, as well as local conditions.
• Individual requirements: Sustainability, modularity, and special requests also have an impact on costs.

Operating costs
Running costs include:

• Energy consumption: The main factor, especially for IT equipment and cooling. Efficient systems reduce costs in the long term.
• Maintenance: Regular inspections and servicing of technical components.
• Security: Access control, surveillance, and fire protection.
• Personnel costs: IT and operating personnel depending on requirements.
• Sustainability: Measures such as waste heat utilization or photovoltaics can reduce operating costs.

Cost efficiency – Our approach
Construction and operating costs can be optimized with intelligent technologies and well-thought-out planning:

• Sustainable planning: Data centers according to ESG standards.
• Energy efficiency: Efficient cooling systems and optimized IT utilization.
• Modularity: Flexible expansion as needed.
• Waste heat utilization: Integration into district heating networks.
• Renewable energies: Photovoltaics and other green energies.

Our solutions ensure that your data center can be operated in an economical, sustainable, and future-proof manner.

Whether new construction or upgrading your existing IT infrastructure is the better approach depends on numerous factors, including the condition of your current infrastructure, your budget requirements, and your plans for the future.

• New construction: If maximum individuality and freedom in terms of technical equipment are important, new construction is ideal. We support you right from the start, whether for small rooms or extensive IT landscapes (e.g., new data center construction, container solutions, or room-in-room concepts).
• Upgrade: Old systems can be replaced with more modern technologies to significantly increase efficiency and sustainability. This is a cost-effective way to keep existing data centers competitive. This often also results in energy savings, e.g., by replacing outdated cooling systems with energy-efficient refrigeration and air conditioning systems, integrating heat recovery, using modern UPS systems (uninterruptible power supply) with higher efficiency, or optimizing the power supply through intelligent load distribution.

Our team will help you identify the best option for your requirements, whether for new construction or modernization. We perform comprehensive analyses and energy efficiency checks to provide you with a sound basis for decision-making.

Efficient cooling is essential to ensure the optimal operating temperature of IT systems and maximize energy efficiency. There are various approaches:

• Water cooling: Directly cooled server systems offer a very economical solution and enable the use of free cooling at higher outside temperatures.
• Hot water cooling: This method enables the use of waste heat, for example for heating buildings, and supports sustainable energy concepts.
• Warm water cooling: With a higher return temperature, this solution optimizes waste heat utilization and reduces costs.
• Two-phase cooling (immersion cooling): Switching between liquid and gaseous states dissipates heat particularly efficiently—ideal for systems with high power density.
• Refrigeration systems: These generate cold water, which is used to cool the servers. Depending on the outside temperature, indirect free cooling (without compressors) is also possible, which reduces operating costs.
• Free cooling (air): This uses the cooler ambient air to maintain the required temperature without high energy consumption.
• Refrigerants: Refrigerants circulate in a cycle of compression and evaporation to generate the cold. In addition to conventional systems, natural refrigerants offer a more environmentally friendly alternative and contribute to sustainable operation.
• Cold/hot aisle containment: A passive method that enables more targeted and efficient air cooling by physically separating warm and cold air flows. This prevents air mixing and reduces the energy consumption of air conditioning systems.

The right solution for your data center depends on the size of the facility, its location, and your individual requirements. Our team will be happy to advise you and find the optimal cooling solution for your IT infrastructure.

The Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG), which came into force in November 2023, and the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), which came into force on October 10, 2023, aim to increase energy efficiency in Europe. In particular, operators of data centers with a connected load of 300 kW or more are required to meet strict efficiency requirements. These include, among other things:

• Energy monitoring: Data centers must report energy consumption and other data to a central location.
• Waste heat utilization: Operators are encouraged to use waste heat efficiently wherever possible, e.g., by feeding it into district heating networks.
• Certifications: No specific certifications such as the Blue Angel are required by law, but they can help to demonstrate efficiency and sustainability.

The law presents companies with new challenges, but also offers opportunities to reduce operating costs in the long term and incorporate innovative solutions into the planning or modernization of data centers. 

Our team supports you with the following measures:

1. Implementation of comprehensive energy monitoring.
2. Consulting on practical solutions for waste heat utilization.
3. Preparation for certification, for example according to the “Blue Angel” standards.
4. Tailor-made solutions for new buildings or the retrofitting of existing infrastructures.

Let's work together to find out what adjustments are necessary to make your data center not only efficient but also legally compliant. Feel free to contact us or perform the energy efficiency check directly on our website.

We take on the comprehensive planning of data centers, both as general planning and in the form of partial planning services. Our experienced team of architects and specialist engineers ensures that your data center is designed for security, efficiency, and high availability right from the start. We consider the entire value chain and optimize energy consumption to enable flexible design for future expansions.

Our planning services include, among other things:

• Holistic planning: We develop tailor-made concepts that take your individual requirements into account while integrating sustainable materials and innovative approaches to minimize your ecological footprint.
• Technical building equipment (TBE): Our specialist planning covers all relevant technical systems, from energy supply and cooling systems to security concepts.
• Building Information Modeling (BIM): Using state-of-the-art planning tools, we create digital twins that enable precise planning and detect collisions at an early stage to avoid costly mistakes.
• Sustainability: We rely on environmentally friendly building materials and innovative solutions such as waste heat utilization and photovoltaic systems to make your IT infrastructure future-proof.

Our comprehensive planning allows us to minimize risks and ensure that the project runs smoothly. Contact us to learn more about our planning services and discuss your individual project.