Getting connected

Who founded Galileo Connect and why?

It was founded by Ian Wright Associates, Arcadiam Associates and hurleypalmerflatt to de-risk the data centre market by providing a fast track, future-proof, fully-expandable, type-tested modular data centre.

Who does what?

hurleypalmerflatt provides m&e, structural and IT design, building control and health and safety; Ian Wright Associates undertakes logistics, project management, construction and facilities management if needed; Arcadiam is responsible for design, planning and implementation.

What's on offer?

The Galileo Connect product is a 1000 m2 building called a Data Pod that is designed for Tier IV resilience (as defined by the Uptime Institute). It is a three-storey, open top structure with power plant on the ground floor, the data hall on the first floor and cooling plant at roof level. In addition to the reception and loading facilities at ground level, it has three floors of offices.

How does it differ from standard data centres?

Most other modular data centres are for internal usage and on a much smaller scale.

What level of cooling does the data centre achieve?

The 1500 W/m² option provides for conventional cooling. However, the 4500 W/m² option provides for high density cooling, allowing for racks in excess of 30 kW.

How is 4500 W/m2 achieved?

Given the recent leap in processor power and resultant power/ cooling loading, we have allowed for the Data Pod to be shadowed by a Piggy Pod of the same physical proportions, which permits sufficient plant to achieve the power and cooling needed.

It can cater for the latest blade server technology, which requires cabinets with heat loads of over 30 kW. The performance-to-area ratio of the data floor effectively means that the 1000 m² data area is capable of producing the same computing power as a conventional data floor some three to four times larger.

How did you choose the specifications?

Following research with financial organisations including Barclays Capital and UBS, most respondents said that 1000 m2 was the optimum size for a data centre. This is proven by a host of calculations and allows the use of simple power and cooling options, which in itself permits many standard components to be used throughout.

Any organisation that requires a large IT capability and data centre will benefit from the modular solution

How resilient is the system?

With all major systems, complete dual paths of power and cooling are provided. All IT equipment has at least dual corded inputs and needs redundant supplies. The systems provide Tier IV resilience.

How flexible is the system?

Flexibility comes in the form of ease of expansion. A Piggy Pod can be constructed adjacent to the Data Pod with no disruption to operations. Once complete, they are linked with two connecting tunnels for pedestrian access and engineering services. A further Business Continuity Pod can be added to give extra office space.

How does using a Galileo system affect construction?

There is no need for a long tender process to select a design team and modular construction means that the building is delivered twice as fast as conventional projects with minimum risk.

Securing planning permission is also easier - the design has been presented to planners, who favour its resemblance to an industrial building and its compliance with Part L and GLA Energy requirements. Appropriate sites have already been identified in close proximity to major power routing, reducing the need for expensive cabling.

What opportunities are available to contractors?

The Galileo Connect philosophy is that of a close relationship with industry partners. It will go to tender on specific jobs and will be seeking locally-based m&e contractors that can demonstrate local knowledge, workmanship, an ability to deliver quality on a fast-track basis, experience in the data centre market and in working with blue-chip clients.

What are the benefits to the end-user?

The speed of delivery allows businesses to be up and running quickly. The processing space needed is reduced by up to 75% compared to traditional data centre designs through increased power and cooling.

Instead of using a traditional bms the data centre can be managed on site and remotely using a secure, interactive system created by Powermode Tela specifically for the mission critical market. For security, 360° cameras, positioned around the building allow for full visibility.

Who are target clients?

With huge growth predicted in mass storage and transactions, any firm that requires a large IT capability and, therefore, a data centre will benefit from the modular solution. This includes financial institutions, media, IT firms, government, gaming firms, online sales and a host of others.