Majenta BIM Pulse: Guiding You Through the Digital Construction Landscape –Data Centers

Why are so many data centers being built in the UK?

Majenta Solutions is working with owneroperators and contractors to support the UK’s data center boom.

Data centers are critical facilities that store and manage large amounts of data for various purposes. In recent years, the United Kingdom has emerged as a hub for data centers, with numerous facilities built across the country.

In this article, we explore why the UK is an attractive location for data center construction. We look at the companies involved, the annual value of investments, and how a digital construction BIM business can assist owner-operators.

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY DATA CENTERS BEING BUILT IN THE UK?

There are several factors that contribute to the UK’s popularity as a location for data centers. These include:

Political stability

The UK has a relatively stable political environment, making it an attractive location for businesses to invest in. With access to global markets, economic stability and a businessfriendly environment, the UK offers a solid choice for data center development.

Skilled workforce

The UK has a highly skilled workforce, including engineers, technicians, and other IT professionals, making it easier for businesses to find the necessary talent. Additionally, a focus on higher education and specialized training programs helps contribute to the country’s economic growth and competitiveness on a global scale.

Fiber optic connectivity

The UK has a well-developed fiber optic network, providing high-speed internet connectivity. Significant investments in the country’s broadband infrastructure have been made, with the UK government actively aiming to provide high-speed broadband access to a majority of households and businesses.

Climate

The UK’s relatively mild climate makes it easier to cool data centers. This helps to reduce the energy costs associated with operating a data center.

Legal framework

The UK has a well-established legal framework that protects intellectual property rights and provides a stable regulatory environment.

WHICH COMPANIES ARE BUILDING DATA CENTERS IN THE UK?

Many large multinational corporations are involved in the construction and operation of data centers in the UK. The list includes:

• Microsoft

• Google

• Amazon Web Services

• Equinix e. Digital Realty

• ARK

WHAT IS THE ANNUAL VALUE OF SUCH INVESTMENTS?

According to a report by data center Hawk, the UK data center market generated £5.5 billion in revenue in 2020. The report also estimated that the UK data center market would grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.4% from 2021 to 2026, reaching £9 billion in revenue by the end of 2026.

WHAT CHALLENGES DO OWNEROPERATORS AND CONTRACTORS TYPICALLY ENCOUNTER WHICH CAN BE EFFICIENTLY ADDRESSED BY FOLLOWING BIM METHODS AND PROCEDURES?

Design optimization is one of the critical challenges that owner-operators and contractors face when designing and building data centers. Since data centers are complex facilities, it is essential to optimize their design to achieve the desired performance, energy efficiency and sustainability. However, designing an optimized data center using BIM requires a high level of expertise, technical knowledge and experience in data center design and operation.

Another significant BIM challenge faced by owner-operators and contractors is managing the construction process. Data center construction is a complex process that requires a high level of coordination, communication and project management skills. BIM can provide a collaborative platform for all stakeholders involved in the construction process to coordinate their efforts, share information and ensure that the construction process runs smoothly.

The operation and maintenance of data centers are also critical to their performance, efficiency and reliability. BIM can provide valuable information about the building systems, components and equipment installed in the data center, enabling owner-operators to manage and maintain them efficiently. However, using BIM for operation and maintenance requires a high level of technical knowledge and expertise.

HOW CAN MAJENTA’S DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION BIM BUSINESS ASSIST THE OWNERS OF DATA CENTERS AND THE MAIN CONTRACTORS THAT ARE APPOINTED TO BUILD THEM?

Majenta has decades of experience helping some of the UK’s largest organizations digitally transform and implement effective processes to gain enormous efficiency gains and reduce costs and risk. Our Digital Construction team of consultants are helping owners and project supply chains of data centers realize the value of BIM through our well-established consulting and support services, as well as our provision of information management throughout data center construction projects.

Majenta’s Digital Construction team can assist owner-operators and main contractors in the following ways:

Provide consistent and complete data

One of the major BIM challenges faced by contractors and owner-operators is the inconsistent and incomplete data in BIM models. This can result in errors, misinterpretations, and delays in construction projects. Majenta’s BIM Digital Construction team can assist in overcoming this challenge by ensuring that the BIM model is accurate, complete and up-to-date. Majenta can also provide data validation and verification services to ensure that the data in the BIM model is consistent and reliable.

Promote a standardized approach

Another challenge faced by contractors and owner-operators is the lack of standardization in BIM processes and practices. This can lead to confusion and miscommunication between project stakeholders, resulting in delays and errors. Majenta’s BIM Digital Construction team can help standardize BIM processes and practices by developing and implementing BIM standards and protocols.

Improve collaboration

Collaboration is critical for the success of any construction project. However, limited collaboration between project stakeholders is a common BIM challenge. Majenta’s BIM Digital Construction team can assist in overcoming this challenge by providing collaborative tools and technologies that enable seamless communication and collaboration between project stakeholders.

Eliminate Technology and software limitations

Contractors and owner-operators often face BIM challenges due to the limitations of technology and software. For instance, BIM software may not support certain file formats or may have compatibility issues with other software used in the project. Majenta’s BIM Digital Construction team can assist in overcoming these challenges by providing customized software solutions that meet the specific needs of the project.

A nexus of data centers in the UK

The UK’s stable political environment, skilled workforce, fiber optic connectivity, mild climate, and well-established legal framework make it an attractive location for data centers. This has led to many large multinational corporations becoming involved in the construction and operation of data centers in the UK, generating significant revenue.

It must be said however owneroperators and contractors face unique BIM challenges when designing and building data centers. Design optimization, construction management, and operation and maintenance are the critical areas where BIM can be used to achieve the desired performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability of data centers.

But using BIM for these purposes requires a high level of technical knowledge, expertise, and experience in data center design, construction, and operation. This means owner-operators and contractors need to invest in developing the necessary skills and expertise to leverage the full potential of BIM in designing, building, and operating data centers.

Our digital construction BIM business can assist owner-operators in optimizing the design, construction and operation of data centers, ensuring that they are energy-efficient and cost-effective.

Jack has been immersed in the world of Digital Construction for 9 years, with a sharp focus on emerging trends and technologies that have the potential to accelerate the industry's digital advancements. Working for Majenta's BIM & Digital Construction Consultancy amplifies the significance of crafting bespoke digital solutions that deliver maximum value. Moreover, Jack appreciates the consultant's duty to impart the comprehensive knowledge acquired from their holistic viewpoint back to industry partners, thereby fostering a progressive evolution within the industry.