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Powering AI and HPC: Bulk Norway's Green Data Centre Initiative
Bulk Data Centers, an industrial group operating in Real Estate Logistics, Real Estate Data Centre, Data Centre Services, and Fibre Infrastructure, is at the forefront of building the world's largest data centre campus powered by renewable energy. Facing the challenges of evolving cooling technology and the growing demands of Generative AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC), Bulk partnered with Legrand for cooling solutions by Usystems and innovative rack systems by Minkels, to create a state-of-the-art, sustainable, and flexible data center infrastructure
The Challenge
Bulk Data Centers faced several critical challenges in designing their next-generation data center:
- Designing a flexible solution for colocation customers with unknown specific IT technology, density, or rack configuration
- Catering to the current GPU trend requiring 40-50kW+ per rack, while preparing for future tech upgrades with even higher densities
- Finding a cooling solution that allows customers to bring in their own racks of different sizes and manufacturers
- Maximizing operational efficiency through optimized airflow and heat rejection
- Reducing time for white space fit-out and customer deployment
- Meeting the specific requirements of high-performance computing customers in a very short time frame
- Designing according to the new EN 50600 standard, ensuring sustainability and energy efficiency
The Solution
Cooling Innovation: USystems' ColdLogik CL20 RDHx
- Handles peak densities from GPU-based hardware up to 50kW per rack in N+1, with headroom for higher densities
- Flexibility to integrate as part of a hybrid DCLC (direct-to-chip-liquid-cooling) system
- Maximizes white space without the need for cooling corridors
- Eliminates the need for hot-aisle containment and structural ceiling / return-air plenum
- Free-standing interface frame allows installation and commissioning independent of customer rack deployment
- Predictable air management, removing the risk of hot spots and airflow issues
Rack Innovation: Minkels 52U Racks
- First implementation of 52U racks in Norway, offering 25% more space than standard 42U racks
- Completely separated racks, pre-equipped before transportation into the room
- Plug & play installation without interfering with other cabinets
- Custom 'Bulk catalogue' with specific solutions co-developed for fast communication and ordering
- Flexible design allowing for both Free Standing Corridor and Vertical Exhaust Duct (VED) cooling options
- Eco-friendly construction, with racks consisting of up to 80% recycled aluminum
Measuring The Impact
Results
- 25% increase in rack space on the same footprint with 52U racks
- Up to 50kW per rack cooling capacity, with potential for higher densities
- Reduction in white space fit-out and customer deployment time
- Improved floor to ceiling height, enhancing M&E coordination
- Alignment with Norway's energy-efficient, cooler climate and low-carbon Hydro energy at Bulk's N01 campus
Key Takeaways
Flexibility is key: Solutions catering to diverse customer needs & tech advancements ensure long-term viability.
Partnerships matter: Collaboration with USystems and Minkels optimized custom solutions.
Standardization: A custom catalog streamlined ordering and implementation.
Future-proofing: Designing for high-density computing and potential liquid cooling integration readies the data center for future trends.
Bulk Data Centers' innovative approach, combining USystems' advanced cooling solutions with Minkels' cutting-edge rack systems, has resulted in a data center design that not only meets current high-performance computing demands but is also poised to adapt to future technological advancements. This forward-thinking strategy, coupled with a strong focus on sustainability and efficiency, positions Bulk at the forefront of the data center industry, ready to support the next generation of AI and HPC applications.
Legrand Data Centers Solutions
Durable integrated solutions for an infrastructure which can be relied on to perform all circumstances. It is now time to empower your data center with our cutting-edge, highly customizable solutions designed for maximum performance and efficiency.