Upcoming environmental and buildings legislation, the
increasing cost of energy and uncertainty over power resources
means that UK firms should be taking steps to help protect their
long term energy supplies as well as to ensure facilities are
energy efficient, industry experts speaking at a recent meeting of
the UK Datacentre Networking group have concluded.
The UK Datacentre Networking Group is a joint initiative between
datacentre specialists DataCenterDynamics and the British Institute
of Facilities Managers, and provides a forum for IT, facility and
datacentre managers to share knowledge and best practice with their
peer group.
Under the title If the Grid Goes Down, the meeting took a
rounded look at electrical infrastructure considerations. The event
was supported by suppliers including APC, HellermannTyton, K8T and
Rittal.
Addressing the group, Mick Dalton, chairman of the British
Institute for Facilities Management, warned that energy legislation
is set to "affect the whole idea of new datacentre designs and
costs".
Clive Steed, major connections manager, London and South East,
EDF Energy also advised datacentre operators to inform electricity
companies at an early stage about future plans for facility
development, stating that longer lead times would help to "reduce
risk".