Google invests in second data centre location in Denmark
Date: 22/11/2017Denmark’s data-driven fairytale shows no sign of slowing, with news that tech giant Google has purchased its second plot of land in Denmark, as an option for the location of a data centre. Apple Inc is already constructing two data centres in Denmark, while Facebook is constructing one, suggesting Denmark is developing into a European data centre hub.
Google currently has no plans to construct a data centre on either of the plots of land purchased, but has done so in order to have the land available, if it suddenly proves necessary to expand the company’s amount of data centres.
A key factor in Denmark’s attractiveness as a location for data centres is its stable, secure electricity supply. Surrounded by Norway and Sweden to the north and Germany to the south, it can tap into its neighbours’ grids for additional supplies if necessary. In addition, the country’s year-round moderate temperatures offer the ideal environment for data servers, which have an operating temperature of 20 degrees. Finally, the high percentage of renewable energy that is included in Denmark’s electricity grid and the possibility of recycling the waste heat from the data centres to provide heating to the country’s citizens as part of its district heating system, makes Denmark an appealing proposition. The last point is particularly important, given that data centres require large amounts of energy to operate.
Commenting on the news on Twitter, the Danish Prime Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen wrote: “Google is purchasing land in Aabenraa. Denmark is developing into a European data powerhouse. Facebook, Google and Apple all show an interest in our stable, green energy. Growth, jobs and progress. Well done”.
Source: State of Green