While DCD's independent experts select the world's outstanding data centers, why don't we create our own list of the most impressive data centers.
The most amazing data center
In the Arctic silence of Svalbard Island, important data is safely stored under permafrost at a depth of 300 meters. The unique Arctic World data center contains the most important copies of data from around the world.
The eternal coldness of the Arctic island can significantly reduce costs and save energy to keep temperatures low. It is able to survive global catastrophes, including nuclear wars, direct missile attacks, and dramatic climate changes.
The data center is located at a depth of 300 meters and is equipped with explosion-proof doors, airlock chambers and motion sensors. The most unique component of a data center is information storage technology: thanks to the use of a special film (long-life light-sensitive film piqlFilm), data can be stored here for more than 1000 years.
The largest data center in the world
Lakeside Technology Center is considered the largest data center in the world, as it occupies the first line in the CNews rating . It is located in the heart of Chicago and is the property of Digital Realty Trus. The total area of the data center is about 102 thousand square meters and is the main storage location for all financial companies related to the Chicago Stock Exchange.
The building was built back in 1912 and when you get inside, you really feel the atmosphere of the 20th century. Indeed, in the early 90s, its territory was used to store huge printing presses, with the help of which thousands of catalogs and phone books were created. And already at the end of 1999, the building was rebuilt into a data center, retaining its unique appearance. Once in downtown Chicago, not far from this facility, you would hardly think that this is indeed the world's largest data center.
The most beautiful data center
The title of one of the most beautiful data centers in the world certainly belongs to Switch Pyramid. The data center is located in Michigan (USA) and is owned by Switch, which specializes in building data centers. The total area of the building is about 21 thousand square meters.
Outwardly, the seven-story steel and glass structure looks more like a spaceship than an ordinary data center. The two lower floors of Switch Pyramid are dedicated specifically to the data center, while the rest of the area includes modern office space.
This innovative design turns the data center into a true masterpiece of contemporary art. Switch didn't stop there, however. The company's specialists are planning the creation of new data center facilities and in the future they plan to build a huge campus with a total capacity of up to 320 MW and an area of more than 170 thousand square meters. And thanks to the company's patented unique power and cooling system, the future data center complex will be powered by energy from 100% renewable sources.
The greenest data center in the world
One of the most popular internet portals and search engines in South Korea, Naver has its data centers located at the foot of Mount Kobona in Chuncheon. The Gak Data Center successfully combines traditional design elements with impressive cutting-edge technologies such as rainwater reuse and recycling.
Gak is a prominent representative of "green companies", because it uses hot air from cooling servers to grow green spaces in the data center. Also, rainwater is used by workers in fire protection systems. And of course, the data center is powered by renewable solar energy, and moving around the territory in electric vehicles once again emphasizes the company's desire to develop in an eco-friendly direction.
The safest data center
One of the world's most impressive data center projects is Green Mountain (GM) DC1-Stavanger, which is tucked away on Norway's rugged west coast. By far the building is considered one of the most efficient and secure data centers.
DC1-Stavanger is buried 250 meters under a mountain on Rennesøy Island and is located on the site of a former NATO bunker.
Green Mountain DC1-Stavanger ranks among the world's most secure data centers. Access to the building is possible only through deep underground tunnels, and at the entrance there are original blast doors more than 50 cm thick. The project of the data center was developed according to military specifications, and the building is also protected from electromagnetic pulses and radiation.
