EcoRZ

The aim of the joint research project is to make data centers as the heart of data management future-proof and sustainable. Together with partners from science and practice, transdisciplinary cooperation is being conducted in this field under the direction of the University of Stuttgart.

The project "EcoRZ - Sustainable Data Centres" deals with the energy- and resource-efficient integration of data centres in locations in Baden-Württemberg. Based on analyses of existing data centres and those in planning, work is being done on various topics:

• Indicators and tools for a location decision for data center operators and sustainability indicators
• Comparison of infrastructure and technologies for future-proof data centers
• Scenario development based on a developed technology matrix in relation to the climate protection goals of the state
• In an exemplary practical transfer, the application of the developed solution methods is tested and quantitatively evaluated with the help of concrete questions and scenarios
• Success factors and obstacles to project transfer are identified in order to formulate recommendations for action

The zafh.net competence center is working on work package 3 "Infrastructure and Technologies". Here, concepts for currently available and future data center infrastructures are systematically evaluated (heating, cooling, network backup systems, buildings, IT hardware, software and communication technology).

• A set of instruments for location analysis was developed on the basis of a set of sustainability indicators for recording hard and soft location factors for data centres.
• Differentiation characteristics for data centres  were derived and can be used to define data centre performance classes.
• Potentials for increasing energy efficiency (including electricity, heating and cooling supply) were identified and presented.
• Sustainability potentials with regard to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, jobs and energy savings were quantified.
• The transferability of the results to concrete data centres was ensured through project-accompanying communication with data centre operators as well as through the application of an analysis tool developed in the project.
• A guideline for operators, planners and political decision-makers was prepared as a practical extension to the final report. The guide "Sustainable Data Centres" can be downloaded from the website www.nachhaltige-rechenzentren.de/#downloads.