SPIE : successfully completes implementation of new FRA16 data centre for Interxion

SPIE successfully completes implementation of new FRA16 data centre for Interxion

Frankfurt, 6 January 2022 - SPIE Deutschland & Zentraleuropa, the German subsidiary of SPIE, the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, completed the full-scale implementation of the new FRA16 data centre in the German city of Frankfurt am Main in November 2021. Data centre operator Interxion: A Digital Realty Company had engaged the multi-technical service provider as general contractor in September 2020. FRA16 is the latest state-of-the-art colocation centre to be added to the Ostend district of Frankfurt. The 16th facility on the data centre campus opens up further room for digital growth.

Complex service provision on a tight schedule

The teams were led by Ulrich van Huet, Managing Director of SPIE Lück and overall project manager at the Building Technology & Automation operational division of SPIE Deutschland & Zentraleuropa. Within 13 months, they carried out all the technical installation work on the client's 4,800 square meters of "white space" with connected power of 16.5 MVA, and in a building shell already under construction. The extensive electrical system - including a 110 kV substation - and mechanical work relating to cooling, air conditioning, plumbing and pipework were coordinated with each other with exceptional precision. One particularly challenging aspect of the project proved to be installing the transformers, provided by Interxion and weighing as much as 80 tonnes, which would not fit in any available space either next to the building or on the ground floor; some of them had to be transported up to the third floor as a result. "The use of a new site management tool and the efficient teamwork of our specialists across all disciplines, numbering as many as 220 at times, were pivotal elements in ensuring that the project was completed according to the timetable agreed in the contract. That makes me particularly proud of my team", said Paula Guesnet, Head of the Data Competence Center department at SPIE Deutschland & Zentraleuropa. "All the commissioning tests have also been carried out now and were passed with flying colours," added Guesnet.

Data centres from a single source and efficient in terms of costs, time and energy

When it came to implementing this complex project, SPIE was once again able to draw upon its expertise as a comprehensive service provider of end-to-end solutions very much in the spirit of ONE SPIE. Planning was the responsibility of Planen & Bauen GmbH, SPIE's planning firm, while SPIE Pulte installed the switch gear and SPIE SAG integrated the substation, assembled in-house, in collaboration with Netzdienste Rhein-Main GmbH.

Volker Reiling, Managing Director of Planen & Bauen GmbH, believes that data centre development has reached something of a turning point and commented, "Data centres are increasingly being set up to be more environmentally friendly. That was something that we bore in mind with FRA16 as well, which is why we implemented two green roofs and an emission control system in the backup generators as well as an energy-saving modular architecture with multiple levels of redundancy built in to the infrastructure."

Data centres have become steadily more important in recent years. The pandemic has raised demand for data centre capacity even higher. "At SPIE, we have adopted a more digital approach. The same goes for many coordination processes, which we have carried out online because it was no longer possible to meet in person on-site. That hasn't stopped us from completing all work on time," said Ulrich van Huet adding, "At SPIE, we make it possible for new data centres to be implemented from a single source in a way that is interface-free, cost-effective and efficient. That's good for both providers and their customers."

A close and long-standing partnership

SPIE and Interxion: A Digital Realty Company have been working together for 19 years, which illustrates the close nature of their business relationship. "Eight successful projects, delivered on time and to a high degree of quality, meant that when it came to decide where to award the contract, we were in no doubt that SPIE would implement the FRA16 data centre on time once again," said Thomas Wacker, Director of expansion for Germany at Interxion: A Digital Realty Company.

"Rising demand for capacity means more data centres are going to be needed. We at SPIE would be delighted to have the chance to develop, implement and maintain more data centres for Interxion in the future and, in doing so, continue our successful partnership", said Ulrich van Huet.