Facebook to open second data centre in Sweden

Open Compute Project design will be most efficient data centre in the world, claims Facebook and Emerson

Social media giant Facebook is to open a second data centre in Sweden alongside its first, in Luleå.

When it is completed, Luleå 2 will be one of the most energy efficient data centres in the world, according to the company, as it will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy - mostly hydro-electric power available cheaply and in abundance in that part of Sweden.

Facebook will work with data centre infrastructure equipment provider Emerson to design and build the facility, which will be located next to its first data centre outside the US, and its sixth in total.

The first data centre in Luleå opened in June 2013, while the new data centre next door is scheduled to be completed in 2015.

Luleå 2 will be built to Open Compute Project server, storage, mechanical and electrical designs, and will be only the second Facebook data centre outside the US.

Facebook's "rapid deployment data centre" approach includes a number of modular design elements to speed up implementation and reduce material use, including pre-fabricated materials and on-site assembly.

Luleå 2 will cover approximately 125,000 square feet (about 11,600 square metres) and Emerson will deliver over 250 shippable modules, including power skids, evaporative air handlers, a water treatment plant, and data centre superstructure solutions, according to Emerson.

"We worked with Facebook to understand their wants and needs, and we collectively developed an integrated, cost-effective, tailored solution," said Scott Barbour, global business leader of Emerson Network Power.

"This collaboration with Facebook illustrates our competencies in modular construction, and showcases next-generation thinking.

"Emerson is able to deliver innovative, global, turnkey data centre solutions comprising design, construction, critical infrastructure equipment, building management system and services."