Opening of regio iT's new energy-efficient data center in Aachen
Aachen, July 2, 2026 – Data centers are the central drivers of digitalization and play a decisive role in determining how sustainably it succeeds. With its new, highly energy-efficient data center “EURaix Evolution” (EVO), regio iT GmbH in Aachen is setting a new benchmark: Already regarded as a best-practice project during the construction phase, the new data center officially went into operation on July 2.
For years now, regio iT GmbH has been at the forefront of innovation with its data centers and has consistently advanced the development of energy-efficient IT infrastructures and resource-conserving operating models. With the new EVO, the largest municipal IT service provider in North Rhine-Westphalia is now taking “sustainable” data center operations to a new level: “Our new energy-efficient data center is emerging as a flagship project in energy efficiency—something that was already evident during the planning phase. By 2035, all data centers are to be operated with significantly reduced emissions; to achieve this, all stakeholders must work together and learn from one another,” said Dieter Ludwigs, Chairman of the regio iT Executive Board.
Dr. Stefan Wolf, Managing Director of regio iT, described another turning point in data center operations at the opening: “We are witnessing the most profound change here since the replacement of mainframe computers 40 years ago. Hybrid cloud architectures are becoming the new standard and require new operating models, a high degree of automation, and state-of-the-art security concepts. With EVO, we are laying the foundation for a highly integrated, resilient IT ecosystem.”
There is considerable interest from policymakers, IT associations, customers, and partners, as evidenced by the participation of Ina Scharrenbach (Member of the State Parliament), North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Municipal Affairs, Construction, and Digitalization, at the official opening ceremony. “The new energy-efficient data center sends a strong signal about our state’s digital future. Modern public administration requires high-performance, secure, and resource-efficient IT infrastructures—and that is exactly what has been implemented here in an exemplary manner. The project demonstrates how technological innovation and the responsible use of resources can go hand in hand,” the minister explained during the event.
Aachen, too, is proud to have such a highly efficient and forward-looking data center in the region. Dr. Markus Kremer, who, as a city councilor, is also responsible for digital administration and IT management in Aachen, commented: “It’s all the more gratifying that this is a joint project between the City of Aachen, STAWAG, and regio iT. For our city, the new data center is a key building block for further modernizing digital administration while consistently pursuing our climate goals. Such collaborations not only strengthen the region but also set tangible standards that extend far beyond it.”
This groundbreaking data center project was carried out with the Data Center Group serving as the lead construction and implementation partner. The Data Center Group is also pleased with the successful completion of the project and its commissioning: “Together with regio iT, we have demonstrated that highly energy-efficient IT infrastructures can already be implemented today in a cost-effective and future-proof manner. It was particularly important to us not only to consider resource-efficient implementation conceptually, but to actually put it into practice in every phase of the project—from the construction processes to the technical infrastructure,” emphasizes Ralf Siefen, CEO and Chairman of the Data Center Group’s Executive Board.
The Aachen-based architectural firm KLEICKER.architektur ensured the efficient interplay of design and function. Architecture is undoubtedly one of the key success factors for the efficient use of energy and materials, as this construction project has once again demonstrated.
“EURaix Evolution,” or EVO for short: The name was chosen through a creative contest among regio iT employees, in which 73 proposals were submitted. EVO represents the evolution of the “old” “EURaix” data center into a next-generation data center featuring advanced, energy-optimized technologies.
Facts & Figures - EURaix Evolution (EVO) Data Center
Aachen’s Next-Generation Data Center
- Sustainability as a Guiding Principle Throughout
- Technological Future-Proofing Through Flexible, Scalable Architecture
- Start of Construction: Groundbreaking in August 2024
- Official Commissioning: July 2026
- Two-story building with 380 m² of interior space
Sustainability & Energy
- Cooling-as-a-Service – operated by STAWAG:
- Adiabatic open-air cooling on approximately 290 days per year
- Absorption cooling via district heating on approximately 75 days per year
- Redundant cooling with an environmentally friendly refrigerant (GWP=3)
- Photovoltaic panels on the roof and south-facing facade, approx. 100 kWp
- Green roofs and green facades for insulation and climate benefits
- Climate-friendly infrastructure: modern refrigerants & efficient switchgear
- 100% green electricity
Technical Specifications
- IT Load:
- Initial capacity: 150 kW
- Final capacity: 300 kW
- IT Space: Three IT rooms with a total of 50 racks
- Certification Compliance: Designed in accordance with DIN EN 50600
Cooling Technology
- Innovative Cooling Architecture: A First in the Public Sector
- Absorption Cooling Using District Heating
- Open-Air Cooling with Adiabatic Cooling
- Redundant System for Cooling Generation, Distribution, and Delivery
- Cold aisle temperature of 24°C (initial) or 27°C upon completion
Power Supply & Redundancy
- Redundant power paths: separate A and B power supplies extending all the way to the rack
- Comprehensive measurement technology (more extensive than EN 50600 GN 3)
- Emergency power system with diesel generator
Security & Operations
- Physical security in accordance with the latest standards
- Fire protection with early fire detection and automatic suppression
- Redundant, cross-site monitoring for high-availability operations
Cover image: © KLEICKER architektur
Image credits: © regioIT
