MANCHESTER 2010 Micro Data Centre Refurbishment Overcoming Physical and Budgetary Constraints in a Legacy Mixed-Use Facility Steve Phipps (Data Centres Manager) and Richard Stern (Project Manager Data Centre Infrastructure) - University of Hertfordshire

MANCHESTER 2010 RARE-IDC “ Reduction And Re-use of Energy in Institutional Data Centres” Background to the Project Our Approach? Completing the project (Richard Stern) Outcomes and Learning Q&As

MANCHESTER 2010 Background to the Project One of two main 75m 2 Data Centres for the University Funding had already been allocated in order to overcome several l egacy risks We also share many refurbishment issues with other Public Sector institutions UoH regularly achieves a top 5 position in the People and Planet Green League, and aggressively pursues a Green agenda Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) funding brought new constraints and new objectives: – “An exemplar of a Green Data Centre for the HE/FE Sector” – “A model for other institutions to follow and learn from” – “Meet the business need with capacity, resilience and economy for at least ten years”

MANCHESTER 2010 What Was Our Approach? Hired a project manager Mitigated the risks with the existing facility by moving into a temporary room Originally considered a Consult -> Design, and tender for the build process only Bolstered our skills in best practices, cutting-edge sustainable technologies and thought leadership on reducing the carbon impact of Data Centres Opted for a tender process that included “Design and Build”.

MANCHESTER 2010 Design & Process Researched a wide variety of sustainable technologies & best practices Design & Build Contract – “Open process” – Large No. Of responses, difficult to compare – I.T.T. must reflect the exact deliverables – Must be able to challenge the responses – Supplier has ownership of design – Fixed cost Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) help to reduce No. of appropriate responses The Invitation to Tender (I.T.T) – Included Best Practices (EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres) – British & International Standards (TIA942) – Get it right!

MANCHESTER 2010 Project Structure Identify & Plan in your resources Communicate, Communicate, Communicate Relationships Reporting

MANCHESTER 2010 Physical Challenges

MANCHESTER 2010 New Data Centre Layout

MANCHESTER 2010 The Challenges Risks – Disruption during refurbishment – Resources Physical Constraints – Risers – Pillars – Bulkhead – Capacity Problems – Work around critical infrastructure – Comparing like for like

MANCHESTER 2010 Budget Constraints Limited Budget Design & Build – fixed cost Tracking the expenditure Contingency Return on Investment (ROI) – Saving of £34,000 pa – Payback well under 12 years (not including Carbon costs)

MANCHESTER 2010 Successes and Achievements Research your Topic The PQQ Careful Planning Relationships Communication Green Achievements; – Re-use of Waste Heat – Refurbishment not new Build – Re-use of some Equipment – Reduction of Operating & Carbon costs & Reduced PUE – Virtualisation ongoing

MANCHESTER 2010 Lessons Learned Complexity of Designs Getting approvals Clear explanation of designs Don’t forget Structured cabling and other hidden costs

MANCHESTER 2010 Outcomes and Learning Size doesn’t matter! – Learn from others – EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres Realising that not all DC providers are the same – Involve your provider as partner – Don’t be afraid to challenge Cultural changes that breed success – Work closely with Estates – Embedding sustainable processes and technology – Remember the three M’s – Meter, Monitor and Manage Dissemination of outcomes – Blog – Conference 8 th September 2010, UH Hatfield Sept ’10