Equinix, Inc. announces a Co-Innovation Facility in Singapore to foster advanced technologies for digital infrastructure, focusing on sustainability and climate challenges.
Equinix, Inc., a prominent player in the digital infrastructure sector, has announced the establishment of a Co-Innovation Facility (CIF) in collaboration with the Centre for Energy Research & Technology (CERT) located in Singapore. This initiative, intended to kick off in the first quarter of 2027, aims to facilitate the incubation of advanced technologies tailored for digital infrastructure, especially within tropical environments. Innovations set to be explored include liquid cooling technologies, cognitive digital twins, and various solutions focused on sustainability.
In Singapore, the digital economy is experiencing rapid growth, boasting a compound annual growth rate of nearly 13% since 2017. By 2022, this sector contributed significantly to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), representing 17.3%. In alignment with this growth trajectory, the Singapore government has committed to investing over $740 million in Artificial Intelligence (AI) over the next five years, reinforcing its aspiration to remain a global business and innovation hub.
The CIF will be situated within Equinix’s forthcoming SG6 International Business Exchange™ (IBX®) data center, forming part of the company’s broader initiative to create sustainable and efficient data centre models—a project it refers to as the “Data Center of the Future Initiative.” This facility will serve as an open research hub designed to foster collaboration among technology innovators, data centre partners, academia, and industry stakeholders. The focus will remain on co-developing and testing cutting-edge technologies that enhance reliability, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in data centre operations.
Equinix’s initial investment in the CIF is set at US$4 million, with the facility dedicated to trials of innovative technologies, including the integration of renewable energy sources and alternative power generation methods. These efforts are crucial as the digital landscape demands higher processing power, resulting in increased energy consumption. The facility will also incorporate AI and Machine Learning to leverage advancements like liquid cooling, which optimises energy use and reduces noise, thus contributing to a more sustainable data centre model.
Yee May Leong, Managing Director of Equinix Singapore, highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change impacts on operations through embracing best practices. She noted the potential of expanding their successful Co-Innovation Facility model from Ashburn to support sustainability efforts in the Asia-Pacific region.
Professor Lee Poh Seng, Director of CERT, emphasised the significance of this collaboration, which aims to translate academic research into actionable industry applications. By marrying energy innovation with sustainable practices, this initiative seeks to enhance operational efficiency and set new standards in digital infrastructure, particularly in climate-sensitive regions like Singapore.
Key innovations anticipated to be trialled at the CIF include:
- Alternative Power Solutions: This encompasses explorations of fuel cells and battery storage systems as low-carbon alternatives for powering data centres, functioning as both primary and backup energy sources.
- Direct Current Power Distribution: The implementation of a medium voltage AC to low-voltage DC (MVAC-LVDC) architecture is set to enable the seamless integration of battery energy storage, solar photovoltaics, and other renewable resources to improve power quality and efficiency.
- Liquid Cooling: As data processing demands escalate, liquid cooling presents a method to significantly cut energy consumption, while also maximising space utilisation and the potential for waste heat recycling.
- Digital Twin Capabilities: This emerging technology is poised to enhance predictive maintenance and system upgrades within the facility through data-driven modelling and machine learning.
Equinix has a solid track record, managing 268 data centres across 73 metropolitan areas globally, providing necessary infrastructure for over 10,000 top-tier businesses. The company has been actively pursuing science-based targets for emissions reductions, aiming for significant progress by 2030. The partnership with NUS reflects Equinix’s commitment to supporting sustainable development initiatives in Singapore and beyond, underscoring the vital role of innovation in meeting both business needs and environmental responsibilities.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://w.media/equinix-and-nus-join-forces-to-build-sustainable-data-center-future/ – Corroborates the establishment of the Co-Innovation Facility (CIF) by Equinix and NUS, its focus on sustainable innovations, and the planned opening in Q1 2027.
- https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/business/equinix-national-university-singapore-partner-explore-sustainability-and-energy-solutions – Supports the partnership between Equinix and NUS, the CIF’s goals, and the significant growth of Singapore’s digital economy.
- https://cxotoday.com/press-release/equinix-and-national-university-of-singapore-partner-to-explore-sustainability-and-energy-solutions-for-data-centers/ – Details the CIF’s objectives, including trials of sustainable innovations like liquid cooling and cognitive digital twins, and the integration into Equinix’s SG6 data center.
- https://www.equinix.com/newsroom/press-releases/2024/11/equinix-to-help-accelerate-ai-innovation-in-singapore-with-us-260-million-data-center-expansion – Provides information on the SG6 data center, its sustainability features, and Equinix’s broader initiative to support AI innovation in Singapore.
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/equinix-to-help-accelerate-ai-innovation-in-singapore-with-us260-million-data-center-expansion-302309285.html – Corroborates the details of the SG6 data center, its sustainability-driven design, and the investment in AI innovation in Singapore.
- https://w.media/equinix-and-nus-join-forces-to-build-sustainable-data-center-future/ – Supports the initial investment of US$4 million by Equinix and the focus on integrating renewable energy sources and alternative power generation methods.
- https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/business/equinix-national-university-singapore-partner-explore-sustainability-and-energy-solutions – Highlights Yee May Leong’s comments on addressing climate change and expanding the Co-Innovation Facility model to the Asia-Pacific region.
- https://cxotoday.com/press-release/equinix-and-national-university-of-singapore-partner-to-explore-sustainability-and-energy-solutions-for-data-centers/ – Details Professor Lee Poh Seng’s remarks on the collaboration’s significance in translating research into industry applications and enhancing operational efficiency.
- https://www.equinix.com/newsroom/press-releases/2024/11/equinix-to-help-accelerate-ai-innovation-in-singapore-with-us-260-million-data-center-expansion – Corroborates the key innovations to be trialled at the CIF, including alternative power solutions, liquid cooling, and digital twin capabilities.
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/equinix-to-help-accelerate-ai-innovation-in-singapore-with-us260-million-data-center-expansion-302309285.html – Supports Equinix’s global presence and commitment to sustainability, including their science-based targets for emissions reductions by 2030.
- https://cxotoday.com/press-release/equinix-and-national-university-of-singapore-partner-to-explore-sustainability-and-energy-solutions-for-data-centers/ – Provides additional context on Equinix’s role in supporting sustainable development initiatives and their partnership with NUS.
