Photo: Wind Farm
Texas Offshore Pilot Research Project
Data Center Projects
Baryonyx's vision of directly supplying data centers with 100% green power present an entirely new concept in this sector.
The current trend for utility contracts is to provide a two- to three-year contract on power rates, which are typically indexed to natural gas prices or heat rates. By providing 100% renewable power, Baryonyx are unique in being able to offer data center tenants fixed power costs for a period of 10- to 15-years by providing power from Baryonyx-owned assets. This allows the data center tenant to accurately forecast both lease and power consumption costs for the duration of their tenancy from day 1.
Since the power provided is 100% renewable, it will not be subject to carbon taxation, cap-and-trade, or other state or federal legislation that could drastically increase power costs regardless of negotiated rates.
First Steps
Significant progress has been made in pulling together the conceptual designs for the company's first green data center. The design is flexible and easily replicable allowing deployment in a number of different locations. A final decision has yet to be made as to the exact location of the initial facility. A shortlist of preferred locations has been drawn up.
Baryonyx have continued to utilise the services of Critical Project Services who have acted as lead contractor on the data center construction design phase. Additionally, Kirksey were retained as project architects and Advanced Technologies Inc as mechanical and engineering designers. Both parties have completed their initial schematic designs.
Launch of the Brand
In order to market the unique data center concept, Baryonyx created the brand WindData.
Full information including technical specifications can be found at www.winddatacenters.com
Design Approach
The data center, once constructed, will be built to the standards that exceed a tier three level facility. Given these requirements, the facility will be purpose-built for data center operations, contain redundant mechanical and electrical systems, be housed in a facility that can withstand natural and man-made disasters, and can be maintained without interruption to the facility's infrastructure.
Given the Baryonyx business model of environmental sustainability, attention was given to low power usage effectiveness (PUE). Current data center industry average for PUE is approximately 2.00. The Baryonyx goal for PUE within their data center is 1.40. A low PUE not only allows for a greater level of environmental sustainability, but also translates to cost savings for the end user.
Baryonyx plans a phased approach to the capital cost outlay and to the data center construction. Each phase shall enable Baryonyx to lease two data center whitespace suites of approximately 9,000 square feet each to a single tenant or to a consortium of tenants.
Status & Forward Plan for the first Data Center
- Conceptual Phase Completed January 2011: Design, Costing, Location Shortlist, Market Intelligence, Power Options, Fiber Optics, Water.
- Marketing Marketing consultants Cushman & Wakefield and Cassidy Turley appointed.
- Wind Data brand name and related marketing materials produced and distributed.
- Financing Investment advisers appointed to assist in the sourcing of equity and debt construction capital. Additionally, specialist advisers have been appointed tasked with sourcing the most beneficial financial incentives from local municipalities.
- Final Site Selections were made in September 2011 and option secured for first new-build data-center.
- Construction All being well with securing a tenant and financing construction will commence Q1 2012 and last 11-13 months.
- Commencement of Operations projected Q4 2012.
