Leading data centre builds system with DEIF’s AGC-4 controller

In an increasingly data-dependent world, data centres need to offer consistent uptime. When GlobalConnect, Denmark’s leading colocation provider, built a new data centre hall, they chose DEIF AGC-4 automatic genset controllers for their ability to provide redundancy and reliability – and for the competent DEIF support. “They play a key role in our power delivery value chain”, says a satisfied Tore Heide Villund from GlobalConnect.

What is the similarity between your travel agent order history, your bank balance, and that amusing video your best friend shared on social media last night? That’s right: All of them are stored as data somewhere – along with an ever-increasing amount of data from countless other sources including Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as cars, refrigerators, and industrial equipment.

The world generates more and more data, and increasingly depends on data, too, and reliable data centres are therefore of paramount importance. “People talk about the cloud a lot, but in fact the cloud is just a server in a data centre somewhere. I usually say that nothing happens without a data centre”, comments Tore Heide Villund, Vice President of Data Centres at Danish network and colocation provider GlobalConnect.

Growing customer demand for not just storage space but resilient and reliable 24/7 data access recently prompted GlobalConnect to expand its data centre in Høje Taastrup with a new hall with state-of-the-art power, cooling, and security systems – and DEIF genset controllers. According to Freddy Nielsen, the positive experience from using DEIF controllers at other GlobalConnect locations was an important factor when GlobalConnect opted for DEIF again. “We chose DEIF controllers because we have seen over a long period of time that they offer high reliability. We think it’s a really good system”, he says.

For the new hall, GlobalConnect chose the AGC-4 automatic genset controller for its ability to provide controller redundancy and its robust performance – and for the competent DEIF support.

An exponentially expanding business

The data centre business is booming and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. “Data volumes expand exponentially, and I simply don’t see that changing. You try asking people to reduce their data usage!” remarks Tore Heide Villund. Industry intelligence backs him up: In 2018, an IDC whitepaper  estimated that the global datasphere will grow from 33 zettabytes in 2018 to 175 zettabytes in 2025, and according to a 2019 MarketWatch press release , the global data centre colocation market could grow from USD 25.52 billion in 2017 to USD 47.34 billion by 2023.

As the market expands, so does GlobalConnect. Tore Heide Villund is very clear on why the company is successful. “The fact that we’ve been able to deliver high uptime is definitely a factor in our success”, he says. “It’s a combination of having a reliable infrastructure and reliable control”. With full redundancy and robust performance, the DEIF AGC-4s deliver that control reliability.

While renewables could one day play an important role in providing critical power in data centres, gensets will likely remain the only feasible backup power source for some time yet. Accordingly, GlobalConnect is planning to install gensets at its upcoming data centres, and chances are good that those gensets will have DEIF controllers. “I find it hard to imagine that we’ll opt for anything else than gensets as we continue expanding”, concludes Tore Heide Villund. “As long as DEIF keeps delivering the value and solutions we need, I’m sure they will be part of the journey. They deliver a reliable and stable product, and that’s what’s important. They play a key role in our power delivery value chain”.