Sustainability in the DCA | PIER Data Centre: Being Environmentally Friendly

Welcome back! In Part 1 we discussed about DCA’s energy efficacies through design and technology. In this piece, we will focus more on the environmental friendliness of our equipment and consumables that they use.

Today, we understand the effects of man-made materials on the environment to a far greater degree than ever before. Chemical-based formulations, for example, may not be broken down by the environment for years, if not decades. If they retain in natural surroundings, they can threaten biodiversity that includes forests and wildlife. Thus, we need to pay attention to the materials that we use especially if they need to be disposed after use.

Flywheel technology

DCA’s Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) system is based on flywheel technology, which essentially uses kinetic energy of a ‘spinning’ wheel to provide backup power. This requires no use of any chemical-based batteries and thus does away with any of their disposal as well. Batteries have a huge impact on the environment during their use as well as when it finally ends up at a landfill.

Compared to traditional static UPS based on batteries, the flywheel UPS does not produce dangerous hydrogen gas whilst charging. The static battery option also needs additional cooling and ventilation requirements for optimal and safe operation.

Trivia: The kinetic UPS is able to fully recharge its energy storage in under 3 minutes, as compared to static UPS which requires hours!

Stopping fires with low oxygen air

When we think of fighting fires, the first thing that comes to mind is water or a fire extinguisher. DCA has adopted a state-of-the-art fire prevention system that maintains low oxygen air, also known as hypoxic air, to prevent a fire from even starting (because fires need oxygen).

Hypoxic air is not toxic for humans and has no corrosive chemical properties, unlike constituents of fire extinguishing liquids. Conversely, conventional fire suppression systems are chemical based and can damage ICT equipment and the environment when discharged. Any potential clean-up from any discharge event also has an environmental impact.

Protecting our greenhouse

DCA’s electrical system uses Ring Main Unit (RMU) that is SF-6 free. It uses vacuum instead as an arc suppressant. SF6 gas (Sulfur hexafluoride) is one of the most potent greenhouse gases in existence. Its high atmospheric stability and ability to trap infrared radiation means it's far more potent at warming the earth's atmosphere than carbon dioxide over longer periods of time.

Sit tight for the Part 3 of our sustainability series, where we will share how our business practices are carried out in a sustainable manner.