Jun 23, 2023 | Posted by MadalineDunn
UK's Loughborough University has announced that it has completed its renovation project, upgrading two of its data centers in Leicestershire. Schneider Electric delivered the data center modernization on the Haslegrave and Holywell Park data centers, adding EcoStruxure Row Data Center, InRow Cooling solution, Galaxy VS UPS, and EcoStruxure IT software.
The project was delivered in two phases, with Schneider Electric working in collaboration with on365, which replaced the aging raised floor at its Haslegrave facility and deployed InRow DX (direct expansion) units for better cooling reliability. This will reportedly help the facility cope with heatwaves, which are an increasing occurrence in the UK. Mark Newall, IT specialist at the University of Loughborough, said that last year, the IT infrastructure at the university was detrimentally affected, with the chillers breaking down.
"Fortunately, most of the campus was on holiday. The cooling system wasn't designed for those sorts of conditions, there weren't dual chilled water circuits or chillers. We'd built the data center to be resilient with no single point of failure, but that strategy was impacted as we had no control over the fabric of the room, which included the external systems supporting the air conditioning," Newall explained.
"At the foundational level of everything which is data-driven at the university, the Haslegrave and Holywell data centers are the power behind a host of advancements in sports science and our transition towards a more sustainable operation." Adding: "Working with Schneider Electric and on365 has enabled our data center to become more efficient, effective, and resilient."
The data centers' legacy UPSs were also replaced with Schneider Electric's Galaxy VS UPS with lithium-ion batteries.
Speaking about the renovation project, Carl Richardson, technology support manager on365, said that having a "well-structured preventative maintenance program" is "vital" to ensure that the data center and IT systems are optimized and operationally efficient.
"At on365, we've continued to collaborate closely with the university, not only to provide them with significant value, but to ensure they can meet their strict procurement governance whilst having access to our extensive support and services capabilities," he said.
"As a passionate advocate for sports and academia, I'm proud to see this complex project delivered successfully with our partners at on365," commented Mark Yeeles, VP of secure power division, Schneider Electric, UK and Ireland.
"Loughborough has a prestigious reputation and prides itself on its students' experience. Through its EcoStruxure Data Center Solution, Schneider Electric will have played an important part in future-proofing its critical infrastructure, helping improve the reliability and sustainability of its IT operations."
The project was delivered in two phases, with Schneider Electric working in collaboration with on365, which replaced the aging raised floor at its Haslegrave facility and deployed InRow DX (direct expansion) units for better cooling reliability. This will reportedly help the facility cope with heatwaves, which are an increasing occurrence in the UK. Mark Newall, IT specialist at the University of Loughborough, said that last year, the IT infrastructure at the university was detrimentally affected, with the chillers breaking down.
"Fortunately, most of the campus was on holiday. The cooling system wasn't designed for those sorts of conditions, there weren't dual chilled water circuits or chillers. We'd built the data center to be resilient with no single point of failure, but that strategy was impacted as we had no control over the fabric of the room, which included the external systems supporting the air conditioning," Newall explained.
"At the foundational level of everything which is data-driven at the university, the Haslegrave and Holywell data centers are the power behind a host of advancements in sports science and our transition towards a more sustainable operation." Adding: "Working with Schneider Electric and on365 has enabled our data center to become more efficient, effective, and resilient."
The data centers' legacy UPSs were also replaced with Schneider Electric's Galaxy VS UPS with lithium-ion batteries.
Speaking about the renovation project, Carl Richardson, technology support manager on365, said that having a "well-structured preventative maintenance program" is "vital" to ensure that the data center and IT systems are optimized and operationally efficient.
"At on365, we've continued to collaborate closely with the university, not only to provide them with significant value, but to ensure they can meet their strict procurement governance whilst having access to our extensive support and services capabilities," he said.
"As a passionate advocate for sports and academia, I'm proud to see this complex project delivered successfully with our partners at on365," commented Mark Yeeles, VP of secure power division, Schneider Electric, UK and Ireland.
"Loughborough has a prestigious reputation and prides itself on its students' experience. Through its EcoStruxure Data Center Solution, Schneider Electric will have played an important part in future-proofing its critical infrastructure, helping improve the reliability and sustainability of its IT operations."
