[Report] Digital Realty Data Center Preserves Iconic Design by Renowned German Architect [How to Coexist in the AIDC Era] ⑩

IV "Strong Connectivity" at Europe's Internet Hub, Germany

A Network of 11 Interconnected Data Centers

Preserving Modern Architect Egon Eiermann's Building

Direct Connection to the World's Largest Internet Exchange, DE-CIX

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Editor's Note
In the era of artificial intelligence (AI), the government announced its plan to build data centers with a total capacity of 18.4GW as part of its three major megaprojects by 2035, aiming to make them a driving force for the nation’s future growth. Data centers, which were traditionally limited to supporting IT services, web applications, and data storage and sharing, are now evolving into industrial platforms that provide and supply AI computing resources. However, despite the shared recognition that these facilities are critical infrastructure determining national industrial competitiveness, there are still many challenges to be resolved before the expansion of AI data centers (AIDC) can proceed. The Asia Business Daily has directly investigated overseas case studies in Finland, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands—where issues surrounding AIDC such as electricity, permitting, water supply, and resident conflicts have been handled successfully—and explores solutions for transforming AIDCs in Korea into assets that coexist harmoniously with local communities.

"A total of 11 data centers are being interconnected, with completion targeted for 2030. Going beyond a single data center, they will be incorporated into a massive fiber optic network spanning the entire Frankfurt area, enabling tight integration."

Upon entering Digital Realty’s ‘Digital Park Fechenheim’ campus, which is under construction in eastern Frankfurt, Germany, multiple massive data center buildings come into view. Covering a total area of 100,000 square meters within the industrial complex, Digital Park Fechenheim is a super-large digital infrastructure campus with a planned IT capacity of 200MW, built in Frankfurt—a city renowned as a key European digital hub and telecommunications center. The facility, larger than 12 soccer fields, is designed to accommodate surging AI and high-performance computing (HPC) demands. Following the first facility FRA17, FRA18 and FRA27 have been constructed, and numerous additional data centers, such as FRA20, are scheduled to be built and gradually brought into operation.

Exterior view of the FRA18 data center, part of the Digital Realty 'Digital Park Fechenheim' campus located in Frankfurt, Germany. Photo by Sojeong Seo.

On July 20 (local time), after passing through stringent security procedures, the reporter visited FRA18, which forms part of the Digital Park Fechenheim campus with a standalone IT capacity of 16.2MW, completed last year. This building repurposes the former Neckermann headquarters—a historic structure designed by renowned German architect Egon Eiermann. Volker Ludwig, Senior Vice President at Digital Realty, explained, "During the redevelopment of the former Neckermann industrial site, there was a consensus that the existing cultural heritage should not be demolished. Since the building is legally protected, only the interior was rebuilt while the prominent superstructure designed by the famous architect was preserved, reviving its symbolic exterior and combining it with state-of-the-art technology to create a cutting-edge data center." This case demonstrates how more than 25% of the existing structure was reused, while the facility was newly established to meet the requirements of an advanced IT infrastructure environment.

Due to the vast scale of the campus, building data centers came with its share of challenges. Ludwig noted, "As the data centers in Frankfurt reached saturation, sufficient power supply could not be secured. We undertook construction to bring in electricity from underground in Karben, a city located about 16 kilometers from Frankfurt, and the most difficult part was negotiating with the landowners. All of this has now been successfully resolved."

Near the entrance to FRA18, expansion work on the campus's power infrastructure was underway. Digital Realty is constructing a 110kV power grid stretching approximately 16 kilometers, connecting the Karben substation to Digital Park Fechenheim, as well as a substation within the campus, to lay the groundwork for future power expansion as needed.

Fire and smoke control panel located at the entrance of the FRA18 data center, part of the Digital Park Fechenheim campus in Frankfurt, Germany. Photo by Sojeong Seo.

One of the defining features that sets Digital Park Fechenheim apart is its connectivity. It is directly linked to DE-CIX, one of the world's largest internet exchange nodes, providing an outstanding network environment. In addition, more than 20 other Digital Realty data centers spread across Frankfurt are interconnected by a multi-layered fiber optic ring, enabling access to a redundant communications network from anywhere in the region. Ludwig added, "We have dual fiber connections with key nearby facilities such as the Ostend campus, enabling an ultra-low latency network. With direct proximity to DE-CIX, we provide the optimal environment for AI and digital transformation." When training AI models, numerous GPUs must exchange data continuously, so preventing network bottlenecks is essential. The data center provides high bandwidth and ultra-low latency network architecture to enable ultra-fast internal communications.

Sustainability has been a top priority for Digital Realty’s Digital Park Fechenheim project. The goal is to not only comply with the European Union’s stringent environmental regulations, but also to achieve the company’s own ESG (environmental, social, and governance) targets. In particular, waste heat generated by the data center is directly recycled to heat adjacent office spaces in the Eiermann building. Hot waste heat created while cooling servers is upgraded via a large-scale heat pump to a temperature suitable for heating, making it immediately usable for everyday needs. In cooperation with energy companies, waste heat from the data center is also fed directly into the Frankfurt district heating network. Starting in October this year, about 30,000 square meters worth of offices and logistics facilities will receive heating produced using the data center’s waste heat. Additionally, all electricity for operating the heat pumps comes from 100% renewable energy sources. This waste heat recycling is expected to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by up to 690 tons.

Digital Realty data center located in Frankfurt, Germany.

Ludwig emphasized, "Because data centers generate immense amounts of heat, efficient cooling is crucial. By applying advanced liquid cooling technologies, highly efficient energy systems, and a heat reuse system that supplies waste heat from the data center to the district heating network, we are committed to establishing environmentally friendly data centers."

The project also stands out for its use of rainwater, which is recycled for landscaping irrigation. Approximately 10,000 square meters of green space have been restored at Digital Park Fechenheim, and around 296 trees have been newly planted. This design allows rainwater to naturally permeate into the soil and recharge the local aquifer, improving rainwater infiltration and replenishing groundwater. By preserving the existing rainwater management system, rainwater is collected on-site, and part of it is reused for landscaping, thus improving resource efficiency. This approach enables the facility to self-supply the water required for maintaining greenery, while concurrently reducing the use of municipal water supplies.

Digital Park Fechenheim, a total area of 100,000 square meters within the industrial complex. Following FRA17, the first facility on the campus, FRA18 and FRA27 have been established, and many data centers including FRA20 are scheduled to be built and operated sequentially. A panoramic view of the data center with construction in full swing. Photo by Sojeong Seo.

The establishment of this kind of environmentally friendly data center is noteworthy for being backed by strong government policy support. The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Energy, Transport, Housing and Rural Affairs of the State of Hesse (HMWVW) supports innovative energy technology projects that contribute to building a carbon-neutral economy and a sustainable Europe. The project is also backed by the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE).

Ludwig commented, "Digital Realty has executed a 10-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with multinational energy company ENGIE, under which we will purchase power equivalent to 116MW from a new 154MW-scale solar power project in Germany. The estimated annual purchase volume is about 120GWh, and this agreement supports our overarching renewable energy sourcing strategy for our operations in Germany."

This feature was produced with the support of the Press Promotion Fund, financed by government advertising fees.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.