Technological milestone for the Ulm/Neu-Ulm region
After around 1.5 years of construction, SWU TeleNet GmbH, a subsidiary of Stadtwerke Ulm/Neu-Ulm, has put its new, state-of-the-art colocation data center into operation in the Ulm Science Park. The Data Center Group (DCG) acted as general contractor for the 1,430 m² project, which was completed on schedule and in close cooperation with all parties involved. The new IT infrastructure strengthens SWU‘s position as a reliable provider of digital services and offers regional companies and public institutions a secure and sustainable datacenter environment with the highest performance and security standards.
Project progress and milestones
The project has been implemented to the highest standards of sustainability, availability and security. It complements an existing data center and islocated near the University of Ulm and numerous research institutions. The construction process was characterized by clear planning, high quality and timely implementation:
Groundbreaking ceremony
On 21 September 2023, representatives from the worlds of politics, business and science held a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of the development of a future-oriented digital infrastructure in Ulm‘s Science Park III.
Construction progress
By mid-2024, key construction phases such as route construction, roof insulation, painting work and technical infrastructure such as the main distribution building, emergency power system (EPS) and transformers had been completed on schedule.
Handing over the keys
On 27 March 2025, the Data Center was officially handed over to SWU by the Data Center Group in a ceremony attended by the Mayor of Ulm, Martin Ansbacher, the Mayor of Neu-Ulm, Johannes Stingl, and senior executives from SWU and DCG.
Floor space
The data center was built in around two years on a 1,430 m² site in the Ulm Science Park.
Secure power supply
Thanks to a redundant power supply with a 1.6 MW diesel emergency generator and a high-performance infrastructure, uninterrupted operation is guaranteed even during peak loads.
Server capacities
A total of around 150 racks offer flexible colocation options for customers with high demands. The modular structure enables customized solutions for particularly performance-intensive applications, such as in the AI sector.
Energy efficiency
With a PUE of < 1.3, the data center is one of the most energy-efficient facilities. This is made possible by free cooling with outside air, waste heat recovery and 100% green electricity from hydropower and photovoltaics.
Security standards
The data center complies with DIN EN 50600 certification and is subject to availability classes VK2 and VK3. Battery storage, emergency power generators, early fire detection with a gas extinguishing system and a comprehensive access control system with multiple protection zones have been implemented to ensure maximum operational safety.
Environmental sustainability
In addition to carbon-neutral operation using green electricity, photovoltaic systems, extensive use of free cooling, a waste heat interface as well as monitoring and intelligent building management ensure that resources are conserved. This already makes a significant contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions and complying with future environmental legislation.
Conclusion and outlook
With the construction of the new data center, SWU, in collaboration with DCG, has made a sustainable and innovative contribution to the region‘s digital infrastructure. The completion of the project on schedule is a testament to the excellent collaboration between all parties involved.
The data center is not only state-of-the-art but also offers new business opportunities and added value for customers thanks to flexible colocation models, fiber connections and optional additional services such as backup or on-site support.
With an eye on digital transformation and the increasing demands on data security and computing power, the SWU data center is a forward-looking project that further strengthens the Science Park Ulm as a location for digital innovation.
