Starting signal for a pioneering data center
On December 9, 2024, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) opened a state-of-the-art data center specially designed to meet the increasing demands of artificial intelligence (AI) research. With around 400 square meters of space and a connected load of 1.4 megawatts, it offers the necessary computing power to efficiently analyze large amounts of data and train complex AI models. The new center plays a central role in the development of “foundation models”, which open up new possibilities in areas such as climate research and medical diagnostics.
Sustainability as a central concept
In addition to its outstanding technology, the HZDR also focuses on sustainability. An innovative cooling system uses the waste heat from the computer center to heat the building, which significantly improves the ecological balance. In summer, highly efficient chillers support the primary open-air cooling in extreme outside temperatures.
Holistic planning for a sustainable solution
As the general planners responsible for architecture, structural engineering (TWP), building services (HVAC), electrical engineering (ELT), civil engineering, open space and traffic planning and the complete BIM planning, we at iproplan® made a decisive contribution to the realization of this project. Our holistic planning not only met the technical and infrastructural requirements of the HZDR, but also contributed to the environmentally conscious design of the data center. This enabled us to solve an important problem: creating a future-proof, high-performance and sustainable infrastructure for AI research.
1st image: © Oliver Killig/HZDR