Sustainability in the DCA | PIER Data Centre: It’s Our Best Practice

In Part 1 and 2, we touched on some of the material ways that DCA does business sustainably. But most importantly, DCA’s way of doing its business and how its staff live, work and play are a crucial factor too. We must live out what we believe.  

Power is a major cause of environmental impact for data centres. A lot depends on the way power is created, naturally. If power is produced through the sun or the wind, the flow-down effects are much reduced. In DCA’s case, since we draw power from the grid, this is not something we can control. But we can certainly influence how power is being used by our customers, and in turn, benefit them as well. Here’s how. 

Pay-As-You-Use (PAYU) in Colocation power use  

Instead of lump sum arrangements for the use of power which is commonplace in data centre contracts, which give rise ‘stranded capacity’ whereby allocated power is not utilised.  Instead, DCA has opts for a PAYU approach. What this means is that our customers pay for power used as needed, in 0.1 kWh units, allowing them to pay precisely for what they actually use. In return, customers will be charged fairly and nothing over and above what they use. All of this improves Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) efficiency as allocated power actually get used and the with higher loading on the UPS, efficiency goes up. 

No fixed power caps for DCA’s racks  

DCA’s racks are not capped to a fixed power rating (e.g. 4 kW) as this creates ‘stranded’ capacity if the full power allocation is not used. Thus, the racks are flexible to take in as much – or little – power they use, thereby maximising the efficiency of the UPS due to lower loads.  

Availability of green power 

If our customers so desire, we have carbon neutral power available at an additional charge so that all associated emissions with their power use will be offset. DCA is also currently trialling the use of solar power through panels installed on the roof tops of its data halls for its front office usage.  

DCA Walking Challenge  

Finally, living sustainably also means self-care as well as taking a walk instead of taking transport that produces emissions! Over the course of 2022, DCA held the Walking Challenge for its staff to encourage healthy and sustainable living.  

What do you think of DCA’s sustainable initiatives? Head onto our LinkedIn profile to share your thoughts!