Energy Superloops deliver the joined up thinking the UK needs to decarbonise at scale, while simultaneously driving down energy costs. Here’s what we need to consider a possible Superloop site:
Access to renewable power
We will site data centres near to renewable power generation and install a behind-the-meter private wire.
Typical size of available renewable generation from 10MWp upwards (unencumbered by Contracts for Difference or PPA), normally within 2km of data centre site.
Photo credit: Raphael Cruz, Unsplash
It isn’t a DataGlow Energy Superloop project if it doesn’t use the waste heat from our data centres.
Heat off-takers (who benefit from warmed water circulated through their ground source heat pump) can be local residents, commercial and industrial users, or community spaces such as a school or swimming pool.
Ideally, we’re looking for locations that offer up a mix of end user types.
Our typical minimum project size is 2,000 existing or 1,000 new homes alongside other anchor users such as a primary school, swimming pool etc. all within a few km of the grid connection point.
We can build out networks that have sufficient capacity for future connections and local growth.
Photo by Mariusz Smenzyk, Unsplash
Photo by James Feaver, Unsplash
We still need the grid to power our data centres when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine. We need at least 5MVA upwards available to import at the nearest sub-station.
We are building small to medium scale data centres that can flex to fit the site. Our typical site need would be an acre or up, although we can fit in 0.5 acres if an urban or industrial site is constrained.
Our data centres use the latest acoustic technology and typically are quieter, as less heat is dissipated via fans, which means they can be sited within 100m of existing or proposed housing.
Sites need to be able to accommodate pipes, cable and fibre routes.
Photo credit: imgix, Unsplash
We need an ultra-fast fibre connection to make the data centre appealing to its customers. We can provide this via our partner aql.
We’re prioritising sites where everything we need to make a project a success is in place – renewables, off takers, a grid connection, space and connectivity.
If you’re a developer, landowner, council, community group or large heat customer committed to low carbon heating we’re keen to hear from you.