Fujitsu opens sustainable data centre in Sydney

Fujitsu Australia Limited has officially opened its new sustainable data centre at Sydney’s Homebush Bay after extensive work to improve the facility’s energy efficiency and reduce its environmental footprint.

The three storey, purpose-built structure has undergone significant enhancements over the past eight months to meet Fujitsu’s stringent environmental design principles and deliver measurable savings on both greenhouse gas emissions and financial metrics.

Fujitsu’s Chief Executive Officer, Rod Vawdrey, said the improvements are part of Fujitsu’s commitment to lead the industry on environmental issues.

“The Sydney Data Centre is now arguably the most environmentally sustainable facility of its kind in Australia, setting new benchmarks for power usage effectiveness and delivering our clients considerable savings when they host their data within our environment,” he said.

Advanced Technology Improves Efficiency, Reduces Costs

Fujitsu’s Sydney Data Centre now boasts high density, hybrid cooling technology which uses recycled chilled water and spatial layout planning to minimise thermal currents.

General Manager of Data Centre Services, Michael Gunton, said the use of a closed loop cooling system significantly reduces the amount of water needed to maintain the facility at an industry standard 23o Celsius and 50 per cent humidity.

“The innovative design will use 80 per cent less water than a conventional cooling system and consume up to 32 per cent less energy,” he said. “Add to that our ability to proactively manage the entire facility from a central location, and our auto-sensor lighting systems that only switch on when needed, reducing usage by up to 60 per cent, and we can promise our clients substantial cost savings.

“The state-of-the-art building control management system allows us to monitor power consumption around the facility in real-time and adjust settings to maximise efficiency. This, coupled with the introduction of biometric and other security technologies, plus an infrastructure upgrade to meet the Tier III standard of the Telecommunications Infrastructure Association Standard for Data Centres, means this centre delivers an unprecedented level of efficiency, reliability, security and sustainability to match the leading data centres anywhere in the world.”

Mr Gunton said Fujitsu will use extensive metering techniques to support its clients in meeting their reporting requirements under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007

“We will not only report on each client’s individual power and cooling consumption for their data centre operation, but will convert that into greenhouse emissions as part of our environmental accounting service,” he said. “Most customers can expect a cost saving of around 20 per cent on their data centre costs as a result of the innovations we have employed in this facility.”

Recognising that servers account for 23 per cent of carbon emissions generated by the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, Fujitsu’s consulting practice also works closely with clients to use methodologies like server virtualisation to further reduce their carbon footprint.

A Proud Heritage of Environmental Sustainability

Fujitsu Limited enjoys an impressive record in the area of environmental sustainability. The company established its Environmental Protection Program back in 1993, outlining its approach to environmental activities around four key areas - products, factories, solutions and people. In recognition of the program, Fujitsu has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index every year since its inception in 1999.

In October 2007, Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand launched its Green IT service offering and a white paper called Green IT – Delivering Business Sustainability.

Fujitsu Australia’s Head of Sustainability, Alison O’Flynn advised that Australian companies are reaping the rewards of Fujitsu’s holistic ‘through the value chain’ approach to sustainability. “Through our frontline experience we’re able to help other organisations implement a range of strategic, environmentally sustainable initiatives supported by a roadmap of benefits,” Ms O’Flynn said.

In March this year, Fujitsu Limited became the first Japanese company to take a leadership role as a Contributor Member of The Green Grid, the global consortium dedicated to advancing energy efficiency in data centres and business computing ecosystems.

In September 2008, Fujitsu Australia’s Victorian operation took up residence at The Gauge, one of only three buildings in Melbourne accredited to the 6 Star Green Star Rated Office Design Certification, the highest environmental rating ever achieved by a commercial office building.

“Fujitsu will continue to lead the way with green initiatives that reduce our greenhouse gas footprint and provide environmentally sustainable products and services for our customers,” Mr Vawdrey said.