Hyperscale-ready data centre moves to fit-out
Macquarie Data Centres has topped out its latest construction project, Intellicentre 3 East (IC3E), a hyperscale-ready data centre in Sydney’s Macquarie Park.
The structural build was successfully achieved amid COVID-19 lockdowns and distancing requirements. The internal fit-out is currently underway and will feature the latest in data centre technology delivered by the lead engineering consultant on the project, HDR | Hurley Palmer Flatt.
IC3E’s state-of-the-art cooling system will not only protect servers within the data centre from extreme external temperatures, but will also leverage the outside climate to deliver one of the most energy-efficient data centres in Sydney.
HDR | Hurley Palmer Flatt Director Peter Gaston said: “IC3E uses a sophisticated, alternative cooling method to standard chillers to protect stored information from worse-case scenario temperatures. At a time of extreme weather events brought on by climate change, this gives end users with highly valuable data peace of mind. At the same time, the data centre community has a massive responsibility to improve the efficiency of its assets, and with a PUE of 1.28, IC3E is a stand-out data centre that will appeal to environmentally conscious end users, from hyperscalers to retail customers.”
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, data centres have been elevated into a new asset class. With more reliance on data centres and the cloud to work, learn and socially interact, they have become a key driver for economic growth.
IC3E is located in the Sydney North Zone, an area rich in cloud ecosystems and connectivity. It is a cornerstone of Macquarie Data Centres’ local data centre campus, which supports the local economy, as well as provides a home for global hyperscalers, software-as-a-service providers and multinational enterprises wanting to access the Australian market.
The Australian Government is a key client, with 42% of federal agencies leveraging Macquarie Telecom Group’s cybersecurity, secure internet gateway (SIG) and cloud services.
Construction has been recognised as essential under the Australian COVID-19 regime. This classification has enabled Macquarie Data Centres and HDR | Hurley Palmer Flatt Group — the engineering provider for all MDC projects — to continue to deliver much-needed facilities throughout 2020.
Among these is the IC5 data centre in Canberra, due to top out within weeks, a notable effort according to Macquarie Telecom Group Chairman Peter James.
“Delivering not one but two data centres during a pandemic is no mean feat. Gartner’s latest forecast shows that spending on Australian data centre infrastructure dipped 10.4% in 2020. Macquarie Data Centres has bucked that trend and has invested more than $100 million into data centre infrastructure across this period,” he said.
Intellicentre 3 (IC3) Data Centre facts and figures:
- AU$85 million — stage 1 investment for IC3 build
- 43 MW — size and scale of Macquarie Park Data Centre Campus once IC3 is fully complete · 1.28 – power usage effectiveness (PUE)
- 1200 Australian jobs created throughout the build
- 1903 — number of concrete trucks to date
- 780 tonnes of steel reinforcement used
- 35.5 km — electrical cabling completed thus far.
Singtel and Hitachi aim for sustainable data centres
As demand for AI and cloud services increases, Japan has become one of the largest and...
Adelaide gains mission-critical data centre
A1 Adelaide will play a key role in supporting the progress of South Australia's government,...
Darwin's hyperscale data centre opens
The $80m facility was developed by NEXTDC in partnership with the Northern Territory Government...
