Singapore’s ambitious plan to transform itself into a greener and more environmentally friendly jurisdiction represents an exciting opportunity for the city-state to lead the world in data center sustainability development. Though we comprise just 0.0005 percent of the world’s land area, according to government statistics, Singapore’s greenhouse gas emissions represent 0.11 percent of the world’s total. Reducing its climate-changing impacts is the aim the government’s bold Green Plan, a blueprint that lays out ambitious sustainability targets that must be achieved over the next decade. It’s a big challenge to transition away from burning fossil fuels to generate electricity, particularly when considering the city’s other objective to remain Southeast Asia’s digital information hub.

Always a stable, business-friendly, and low-risk destination for new data centers, Singapore’s total electricity consumed by the data centers rose roughly 7 percent in 2014. That figure likely grew substantially as construction of new facilities surged through 2019. Now, a de facto moratorium on new approvals is in place as the government evaluates the best options for how the sector can operate competitively, sustainably, and profitably on the island.

Thankfully, key data center sustainability trends are moving in the right direction. Emerging renewable energy technologies are increasing the available mix of green power, rising compute capacity per kWh is lowering overall carbon footprints, and improved technologies to reduce natural resource and water consumption are all contributing to making digital infrastructure more environmentally friendly than ever. Being the only system integrator in Singapore certified by Schneider Electric as a Master-level BMS EcoXpert and a solution provider to the data center market, Daikin is expertly positioned to help clients meet Green Plan requirements and other efficiency goals. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the measures new and existing data centers in Singapore (and beyond) can take to ensure their facilities operate with the lowest environmental footprint possible.

Improve data center operational efficiency

Slashing data center energy waste is easier than many people think. A variety of efficiency measures can be taken, either during the infrastructure upgrade cycle or as part of a special energy use optimization strategy, including:

• HVAC – optimizing chiller and humidification systems with advanced solutions such as Daikin iPlant Manager can cut energy consumption by up to 40 percent.
• Power distribution – using high-performance power distribution units and uninterruptible power supplies is a proven method to increase energy asset efficiency.
• Airflow management – improving air-to-air heat exchange capabilities with solutions such as Uniflair Indirect Air Economizers maximizes cooling system efficiency.
• Information technology – eliminating periods of low utilization, running servers closer to rated capacity, activating energy-saving server features, and implementing efficient data storage measures are among the easiest ways of lower data center energy usage.

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Data centers embrace efficient, environmentally friendly design principles

Data center designs have come a long way over the last decade, but the overall environmental footprint of a data center extends beyond just electricity and water use. More can be done to increase data center sustainability on many fronts. From choosing vendors whose offers embrace the circular economy to specifying equipment optimized for minimal resource use and recyclability, measures known to reduce the environmental impact of digital infrastructure include:

• Optimized hardware – choosing infrastructure assets with lower carbon footprints, such as SF6-Free switchgear and liquid cooling cut atmospheric emissions and save energy.
• Sustainable resource use – aligning data center design and operation with documented business needs limits the tendency for facilities to be overbuilt, translating into the consumption of fewer raw materials, reduced land use, and lower transportation emissions, to name just a few.
• Reducing toxic pollutants – from the materials used in uninterruptible power supply batteries through diesel generator exhausts, plus coolant in chillers/air conditioners, innovative new technologies, including DeCaIon™, a chemical-free water treatment solution are available to help data centers reduce the introduction of hazardous substances into the natural environment.
   

Data centers assess renewable and low-carbon energy options

To run a more sustainable data center, consider renewable energy options such as:

• Connecting to greener utility power – the Singapore government’s Energy Reset initiative aims to increase solar generation, energy storage deployments, and clean electricity imports to lower the carbon footprint of all the city’s utility generation sources.
• Implementing a renewable energy strategy – whether it’s through renewable energy credits, a green energy purchase agreement, or an onsite build that features renewable sources like solar panels, developing a roadmap for the future is as simple as connecting with the right partner.

As the government continues to evaluate the way forward for new data center development in Singapore, Daikin and Schneider Electric can provide a range of solutions that can make existing digital infrastructure more efficient and sustainable. The time to engage with a trusted, experienced partner and start planning is now.

To learn more about data center sustainability

Daikin – including our subsidiary BMS Engineering – is a total building lifecycle solution provider and leading system integrator for BMS, facilities management, energy efficiency, and IAQ solutions in the Singapore region. To learn more, visit the Daikin Singapore website.

Schneider Electric has been recognized as the world’s most sustainable corporation in 2021 by Corporate Knights Global 100 Index.

EcoXperts are the Enablers of Buildings of the Future

The EcoXpert Partner Program is unique in its industry and made up of a best-in-class global ecosystem of expertise. Trained and certified by Schneider Electric, EcoXperts are the implementation arms of EcoStruxure and Wiser all over the world.

Buildings of the Future is about delivering solutions for the sustainable, resilient, hyper-efficient, and people-centric buildings that our customers need. For our EcoXpert partners, this unveils immense growth opportunities through the transition to end-to-end portfolio sales that will resolve our customers’ most critical needs. For our shared customers, this means that together with our EcoXpert partners, we will drive the building industry transformation and help our customers survive and thrive today – and tomorrow.

Visit EcoXpert to learn more. Discover Buildings of the Future.

Learn more about Buildings of the Future

Want to see how Daikin (BMS Engineering), a Schneider Electric Master-level BMS EcoXpert partner, is helping to enable Buildings of the Future? Read more here.

Daikin is also registered to become certified and specialized in the following EcoXpert competencies and specializations: Critical Power, Real Estate, and Data Centers.

Interested in learning about the EcoXpert Partner Program? Visit the EcoXpert website for more details around benefits of our business partners.

Learn more about DAIKIN Airconditioning (Singapore) Pte Ltd 

Daikin Airconditioning (Singapore) Pte Ltd is a subsidiary of Daikin Industries Ltd. As the only Japanese aircon specialist, Daikin applies cutting-edge technologies to enhance man’s inner space, providing the comfort of sophisticated air conditioning systems to thousands of Singaporean homes and educational and recreational facilities, now and in the near future. Apart from delivering premium, energy-efficient products that allow customers to enjoy quality lifestyles, Daikin Singapore also values its relationship with customers.

For more than 50 years, Daikin Singapore has been touching the lives of Singaporeans. Daikin has mirrored the nation’s growth and gone on to achieve many firsts in Singapore. When the nation’s Housing and Development Board (HDB) was paving the way to house Singaporeans of growing affluence, Daikin was the first to introduce multi-split air-conditioning systems to HDB homeowners. As businesses boomed, Daikin also introduced to the island in 1986, the world’s first super-efficient VRV® Systems for commercial buildings.

Daikin Singapore recently acquired BMS Engineering & Trading Pte Ltd. With this acquisition, Daikin will play a much bigger role as one of the leading Systems Integrator of Building Management Systems, Integrated Facilities Management systems, and Energy Efficiency Solutions in the region. Daikin Singapore offers comprehensive proposals for building-wide facilities and contracting services focused on cost reduction and service quality improvement.

Visit the DAIKIN website.