Digital Realty Trust Inc. unveiled the next generation of its POD Architecture(R) - the unique methodology the Company uses to design and build its Turn-Key Flex(SM) solution using a modular approach that speeds delivery, advances energy efficiency, maximizes reliability and lowers costs for its customers. POD 3.0 advances the modular approach to data center design by increasing the critical IT load delivered from the current 1,125 kW to 1,200 kW while reducing the number of components necessary for the additional capacity. The enhanced and simplified design reflects Digital Realty's focus on providing customers with flexible data center solutions that meet their exact needs and requirements.

The centerpiece of Digital Realty's POD Architecture is the pre-fabrication and inventorying of major electrical and mechanical systems that traditionally stand in the time-sensitive path of data center construction projects. Pre-fabricated components are manufactured in a factory environment and then warehoused for on-time delivery to project sites, improving quality and accelerating time to market. The cooling and electrical systems are pre-commissioned in the factory and then re-commissioned along with the completed data center.

POD Architecture 3.0 represents an improved, simplified arrangement of components that serves as the foundation of the Company's Turn-Key Flex solution. Core to the enhancement is an increase in critical IT load capacity to 1,200 kW from 1,125 kW at the same cost point achieved with POD 2.0, using only two electrical skids versus the previous design's three skids. The reduction of the infrastructure footprint will help improve the yield on building space for data centers.

POD 3.0 will also produce data centers that feature higher energy efficiency (such as PUE ratings below 1.2).