ICE03 epitomises the potential of a circular economy for data centres – Cloud Computing News

Report on atNorth’s ICE03 Data Centre: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals through Environmental Innovation

Introduction

Iceland-based company atNorth has been recognized with a Data Center Dynamics award for Environmental Impact, highlighting its commitment to reducing the ecological footprint of data centre operations. The award specifically honors the expansion and design of the ICE03 data centre in Akureyri, Iceland, emphasizing its social, economic, and environmental contributions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Environmental Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

The ICE03 data centre exemplifies sustainable development by leveraging Iceland’s abundant renewable energy resources and naturally cool climate to minimize energy consumption. Key environmental features include:

• Use of renewable energy sources, supporting SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
• Implementation of energy-efficient Direct Liquid Cooling technology.
• Construction with sustainable materials such as laminated wood Glulam instead of steel beams, and insulation using local rockwool, promoting SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
• Achieving a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of less than 1.2, significantly outperforming the global average of 1.56, thus reducing energy waste.

Heat Reuse and Circular Economy Contributions

atNorth incorporates heat reuse equipment in all new data centres, with ICE03 channeling waste heat to the local municipality of Akureyri. This heat supports a community greenhouse that educates local school groups on ecological cultivation and sustainable food production, directly contributing to:

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by fostering community engagement and education.
• SDG 13: Climate Action by lowering the data centre’s carbon footprint.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger through supporting local sustainable agriculture.

This partnership exemplifies a circular economy model, benefiting both the environment and the local community.

Economic and Social Impact

atNorth’s commitment to local economic development aligns with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. Highlights include:

1. Local hiring during ICE03’s construction and ongoing operations.
2. Investment estimated at approximately €109 million in Akureyri.
3. Support for local charities, community projects, and educational institutions, including donations of mechatronics equipment to the Vocational College of Akureyri.
4. Sponsorship of local sports events and funding for the local search and rescue team.

Technological Advancements and Connectivity

The ICE03 data centre benefits from enhanced connectivity through a new Point of Presence (POP) established by telecom operator Farice, which manages submarine cables linking Iceland to mainland Europe. This infrastructure improvement addresses previous latency challenges, making Icelandic data centres competitive for high-performance workloads such as AI training and testing. This supports SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure by promoting advanced technological infrastructure.

Corporate Responsibility and ESG Integration

Choosing environmentally responsible data centre providers like atNorth supports corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals by:

• Reducing Scope 3 emissions associated with cloud and colocation services.
• Providing transparent metrics on energy efficiency, water intensity, and emissions to satisfy investor and procurement requirements.
• Enabling clients to decarbonize their IT workloads while contributing to regional circular economies.

Conclusion

atNorth’s ICE03 data centre represents a holistic approach to sustainable development, integrating environmental innovation, social responsibility, and economic growth. This model aligns closely with multiple SDGs, demonstrating how data centre operations can be leveraged as catalysts for sustainable progress. CEO Eyjólfur Magnús Kristinsson emphasizes the importance of data centre operators becoming valued partners within thriving communities to ensure long-term success.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The article highlights the use of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies in the ICE03 data centre.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – The development of advanced data centre infrastructure with innovative cooling and construction methods is emphasized.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The partnership with the local municipality for heat reuse and community benefits supports sustainable urban development.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The circular economy approach and use of sustainable materials in construction are discussed.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action – The reduction of carbon footprint and decarbonisation efforts are central themes.
6. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Local employment and investment in community development are mentioned.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

• SDG 7
  • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
  • Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
• SDG 9
  • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency.
• SDG 11
  • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities.
• SDG 12
  • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
• SDG 13
  • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into policies and planning.
• SDG 8
  • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all.
  • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities and decent job creation.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

• Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) – The article mentions a PUE of less than 1.2 for ICE03 compared to the global average of 1.56, indicating energy efficiency (related to SDG 7.3).
• Use of Renewable Energy – The reliance on renewable energy sources in Iceland is implied as a metric for SDG 7.2.
• Carbon Footprint Reduction – The article refers to decarbonisation and lower carbon emissions, which can be measured by greenhouse gas emission indicators (SDG 13.2).
• Waste Heat Reuse – The reuse of waste heat for community greenhouses implies measurement of energy recovery and circular economy practices (SDG 12.5).
• Local Employment Rates – Hiring local workforce and training programs suggest indicators related to employment and economic growth (SDG 8.5).
• Community Investment – Financial donations and support for local projects indicate social impact metrics linked to SDG 11 and SDG 8.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: cloudcomputing-news.net