In a significant step forward for scientific research, Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, has partnered with Advanced Power Technology (APT) to deploy a cutting-edge modular data center at The Pirbright Institute. This innovative infrastructure is poised to propel the Institute’s vital research into viral diseases, enabling it to stay at the forefront of scientific advancements.
The Pirbright Institute, a world-renowned center of excellence for research into the control and surveillance of viral diseases in farm animals and zoonotic viruses (those that can spread from animals to humans), has embarked on a journey of digital transformation. As part of this evolution, the Institute recognized the need for a robust data center solution that could accommodate its growing demands for high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) – technologies crucial for accelerating research breakthroughs.
Recognizing the mission-critical nature of its research and the need for continuous service during any modernization project, the Institute opted for a containerized data center solution. This approach offered the flexibility and scalability to meet future needs while minimizing disruption to ongoing research. APT, a leading provider of critical power and cooling systems, was engaged to design and implement the Institute’s new ‘Containerized Data Centre’ (CDC).
Leveraging Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure for Data Centers solutions portfolio, including the EcoStruxure Row Data Center system, APCä NetShelter racks, InRow cooling, Symmetra Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), and APC NetBotz environmental monitoring, APT was able to create a pre-configured design that could be pre-tested off-site, ensuring faster deployment.
The project, completed in just 12 weeks, consisted of three phases:
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Phase 1:
Detailed site preparation and utility connections, including laying new foundations for the data center modules.*
Phase 2:
Off-site construction, pre-configuration, and pre-integration of the data center, along with the migration of existing applications and IT systems.*
Phase 3:
Deployment, with the containerized modules being carefully delivered to the site and lifted into position.The completed data center provides 80kW of scalable and future-proofed capacity in an N+1 configuration, enhancing the resilience and availability of the Institute’s critical infrastructure systems.
Security, Sustainability, and Scalability
The new containerized data center is designed to meet the Institute’s evolving research needs, including the analysis of vast data sets generated by advanced technologies like sequencers and diamond-light processes for virus analysis. Its scalable architecture enables the Institute to leverage the latest advancements in HPC, AI, and GPU-powered computing, facilitating faster breakthroughs in viral research.
Security is paramount at the Institute. The data center incorporates comprehensive monitoring and management systems powered by Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure IT Expert data center infrastructure management (DCIM) software. This is complemented by NetBotz environmental monitoring, which continuously tracks over 60 data parameters, including temperature, humidity, leak detection, and multiple camera feeds. Heavy-duty enclosures outside the facility provide additional physical security, ensuring the protection of sensitive data and research.
A Platform for Future Innovation
With its world-class IT infrastructure, the Pirbright Institute is now positioned to compete for groundbreaking research projects on a global scale. The modular design of the data center guarantees high availability, resilience, and efficiency, providing a solid foundation for future research endeavors. The data center also aligns with the Institute’s development master plans, which include new laboratories, scientific and administrative facilities, three new computing centers, and a control facility.
The flexibility and capacity of the new data center will empower researchers to leverage state-of-the-art laboratories and specialized technologies, facilitating the generation and analysis of large volumes of data. This will enable the Institute to further accelerate its knowledge and contributions to global health and welfare, laying the groundwork for groundbreaking research for decades to come.
A Vital Infrastructure
Mark Yeeles, Vice President of the Secure Power division at Schneider Electric UK and Ireland, aptly summarizes the significance of this data center: “The new data center at Pirbright exemplifies the fundamental role these advanced computing systems play in life science research, and truly demonstrates why data centers have been designated critical national infrastructure.” He further emphasizes the crucial role of digital infrastructure, stating, “It also reinforces the role of digital infrastructure as a critical fourth utility, and through these new, world-class IT facilities, the Institute has developed a secure, scalable and dedicated platform to support the vital work of its researchers now, and in the future.”
The success of this project demonstrates the transformative power of modern data center solutions in empowering scientific research and innovation, ensuring that organizations like The Pirbright Institute are well-equipped to address the critical challenges facing global health and animal welfare.
