30572_Kao Data Critical Careers_Pages - Flipbook - Page 19
Building a forwardlooking industry
O
ne of the challenges you encounter in creating and designing for forwardlooking industries like data centres is navigating evolving policies and
sustainability concerns. For instance, recent government policies have
started recognising data centres as signi昀椀cant heat emitters, which could potentially
lead to new taxation measures. This is still a developing area, but the implications are
signi昀椀cant because it shows government interest in the environmental impact of data
centres, which are often seen as cash-rich enterprises.
On the sustainability front, there is an increasing focus on Scope 3 emissions, which
include the embodied energy—the energy required to produce the materials used in
construction. Choosing the right materials can substantially affect both the longevity
and operational costs of a facility. For example, the right cladding materials not only
contribute to the building’s ef昀椀ciency but also serve as a visual statement of the
facility’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
Working with hyperscalers has revealed their strong desire to integrate
environmentally friendly practices. They are increasingly interested in solutions
like district heating networks and are focused on reducing emissions and being
acoustically sensitive to neighboring communities. This aligns with a broader trend
towards ensuring data centres contribute positively to their surroundings.
Another fascinating aspect is the potential for future-proo昀椀ng by designing data
centres to coexist with other types of infrastructure. For instance, integrating data
centres with industrial spaces or leisure facilities could not only optimize energy use
but also serve the community more holistically. Colocating data centres with industrial
warehouses could be mutually bene昀椀cial due to similar security and transportation
needs. This is rarely seen, but it represents a potential area for innovation in how data
centres are conceptualized and built. This kind of integrated planning could help
overcome the challenges of plugging into existing infrastructure networks, which
often proves complex.
19
