AQ Compute starts construction works on a 60 MW data center in Barcelona

PRESS RELEASE

AQ Compute starts construction works on a new data center in Barcelona

First phase of the 60 MW campus of new site AQ-BCN1 expected to be completed in 2025.

 

Hamburg, Barcelona, 27 June 2024 – AQ Compute, a provider of colocation data centers with a strong focus on sustainability, has started construction works on its second data center. After the first site near Oslo commenced commercial operations in February 2024, the company is further expanding its presence in Europe. The new facility is currently being built in Parc de l’Alba (Cerdanyola del Vallès) in Barcelona. The AI-ready campus is designed to have independent buildings with the following characteristics:

 

Strong collaboration with renowned market participants

CBRE Project Management is acting as project manager. Moreover, AQ Compute is cooperating with PQI, a 70/30 joint venture between PGI Data Centers and PQC, as design partner for its new data center. The construction work will be carried out in collaboration with GSE as the general contractor.

Henry Daunert, CEO of AQ Compute, comments: “With the start of construction of our data center in Barcelona, we are continuing our company’s growth strategy. We see an increasing demand for power-intensive IT applications and corresponding server capacities, which highly require energy and cost-efficient solutions, while simultaneously focusing on sustainability. This is exactly where our data centers come into play.”

Aina Juliol, CEO at PQI Engineering, adds: “We are looking forward to this joint, pioneering project in which we are contributing with all our knowledge and expertise of IT consulting services, architectural & MEP engineering design from almost 30 years of experience in the market to ensure its success.”

Joan Carles Aguado, Country Manager of GSE Spain and Portugal, says: “It is an honor to collaborate on this project with AQ Compute, a brand of Aquila Group, with whom we have successfully partnered on projects both here on the Iberian Peninsula and internationally.”

 

Please read the entire press release, also in Spanish.

 

AQ Compute, Press contact:
Beilquadrat GmbH, Sascha Lindemann, Phone: 040-8821532-27, Email: sascha.lindemann@beilquadrat.de

 

AQ Compute cooperates with CleanHub to actively reduce plastic waste

PRESS RELEASE

AQ Compute cooperates with CleanHub to actively reduce plastic waste

 

 

Hamburg / Berlin, 10 June 2024 – AQ Compute has entered into a cooperation with Berlin-based start-up CleanHub to support the mitigation of plastic and promote a circular economy. The European colocation data center provider committed to avoiding 4,300 kg of plastic waste from entering the oceans this year – the equivalent of 430,000 plastic bottles – through collection on beaches. The collected waste is weighed and recorded using track-and-trace technology and is taken to a Material Recovery Facility. Moreover, AQ Compute pledged to collect an additional kilogramme of ocean-bound plastic for every newsletter subscription it receives. The cooperation also creates sustainable and decent jobs with fair wages in the global south through waste collection. To mark the launch of this collaboration, AQ Compute sponsored a clean-up of a beach in Ambon, Indonesia, organised by CleanHub on World Oceans Day on June 8. This has a direct impact on the environment since coastlines are cleaned-up, plastic is prevented from entering the ocean and additional income for local communities is provided.

AQ Compute is pursuing the goal of making the life cycle of data centers in Europe more sustainable. To this end, the company is aiming at a low carbon footprint design, utilizing clean energy and heat reuse in its data centers.

Creating easy access to waste management
At CleanHubs in India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Tanzania, teams intercept waste before it reaches the ocean by collecting it directly from households as well as waterways. After the waste has been collected, it is sorted into different categories so each material can be disposed of correctly. Recyclable plastic is sold to local recyclers, non-recyclable plastic is processed in the most environmentally friendly way available, avoiding open dumping and burning.

The progress of the plastic collection can be tracked in real time via the online impact report.

Please read the entire press release.

AQ Compute, Press contact:
Beilquadrat GmbH, Sascha Lindemann, Phone: 040-8821532-27, Email: sascha.lindemann@beilquadrat.de

Expansion of AQ-OSL1: AQ-OSL1B and AQ-OSL1C go live in Q1 2025

PRESS RELEASE

 

AQ Compute expands its data center in Norway:
AQ-OSL1B and AQ-OSL1C go live in Q1 2025

 

 

Hamburg / Oslo, 30 May 2024 – To reflect the growing demand for AI-ready data centers, European colocation data center provider AQ Compute today announces the expansion of its AQ-OSL1 facility near the Norwegian capital Oslo.

AQ Compute’s data center, AQ-OSL1 in Hønefoss near Oslo, has already been designed as an AI-ready and colocation facility. The site has been in operation since February this year. The existing data center AQ-OSL1A has 6 MW IT power today, which will be expanded by 15 MW gross power – with the two expansion stages AQ-OSL1B and AQ-OSL1C. The expansion will be entirely liquid-cooled, with an integrated closed loop cooling circuit to increase energy efficiency and avoid water wastage. For the cooling of the racks, rear door heat exchangers (RDHX), immersion cooling and direct to chip cooling technology will be available, meeting the requirements of efficient AI-ready operations in a sustainable way.

“AQ Compute is excited to announce the expansion of AQ-OSL1. Our first data center is in operation since February, and Norway has already proven to be an ideal location for data centers. With the expansion of AQ-OSL1 we aim to meet the increasing demand for AI-ready data centers, while our sustainability concept supports our clients in reducing their environmental impact”, says Andreas Myr, CEO of AQ Compute Norway.

Following the standard of AQ-OSL1A, the expansion will have 24/7 remote hands services available and 24/7 security on site to guarantee the best possible support for AQ Compute’s clients.

 

Please read the entire press release.

AQ Compute, Press contact:
Beilquadrat GmbH, Sascha Lindemann, Phone: +49 170 22 77 224, Email: sascha.lindemann@beilquadrat.de

AQ Compute and Stelia set new standard for AI-ready infrastructure

PRESS RELEASE

AQ Compute and Stelia set new standard for AI-ready infrastructure

 

 

Hamburg, 15 March 2024 – AQ Compute’s first data center AQ-OSL1 recently became operational in Hønefoss, near Oslo. Now, the Europe-based provider of colocation data centers and built-to-suit solutions collaborates with the London-based Network as a Service company Stelia. The company provides multi-terabit usage-based internet connectivity for accelerated compute environments, private and public clouds and colocation data centers. Together, AQ Compute and Stelia plan to enable the development of ultra high-performance computing (HPC) around the world and contribute to the massive growth that artificial intelligence and machine learning applications are bringing to the market.

 

Henry Daunert, CEO of AQ Compute: “The data center sector is the cornerstone to the growth of digitalization. The future relies on connectivity and bandwidth too; as such, we are privileged to announce our partnership with Stelia, an ultra-high bandwidth network service provider, enabling multi-terabit internet connectivity for accelerated compute environments. AQ Compute is developing a pan-European portfolio of state of the art, AI and cloud ready data centers to enable ultra high-performance computing (HPC) around the world and to support the massive growth of artificial intelligence and machine learning applications. With AQ Compute´s high density compute capacities in combination with Stelia´s high bandwidth connectivity services, we aim to create the leading connected digital ecosystem for AI companies.”

 

Offering AI-ready, sustainable solutions for the future

 Since 2010, the number of internet users worldwide has more than doubled. Global internet traffic has increased 25-fold during that time. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are playing an increasingly big role and generate specific energy and connectivity demands – also potentially with significant implications for data center energy use in upcoming years. [Source] The requirements for data center providers hosting AI and machine learning models, which needs to have a resilient and dynamic network infrastructure, are highly distinct from those for regular data centers.

AQ Compute and Stelia have anticipated the need for this change and are creating targeted solutions for these growing markets.

The key advantages which AQ Compute and Stelia can offer their clients through the collaboration include:

  1. Customized solutions: Together, the companies are building data center ecosystems tailored to clients’ needs, with AQ Compute’s sustainable, high-quality colocation facilities and Stelia’s cloud-like Naas offerings.
  2. Future-proof connectivity: With AQ Compute´s high density compute capacities in combination with Stelia´s high bandwidth connectivity services, the companies create connected digital ecosystem for AI companies. The partnership aims to provide a resilient and dynamic network which is ready for the massive AI demands.
  3. Next level network capacity: Stelia’s scalable Naas infrastructure, starting at 120 Tbps per location, ensures clients’ AI projects run at high speed, backed by over 150 Tier 1 carriers and partners.

 

Dan Scarbrough, Chief Revenue Officer at Stelia, commented: “The data center environment is structurally transitioning to an AI-led world. It’s vital that innovative builders like AQ Compute and Stelia collaborate in strategic partnerships to offer AI service providers a new generation of foundational technologies. Our wholly owned private backbone will support connectivity for their first campus in Hønefoss, giving access to over 150 Tier 1 carriers, cloud providers, GPU service providers and IXPs at terabit speeds. Stelia will continue to accelerate the world’s best ideas with AQ Compute as they extend their data center platform to other cities.”

 

Jointly sponsoring NVIDIA GTC in San Jose

From 18-21 March, NVIDIA GTC, a global conference for accelerated compute professionals, is taking place in San Jose, California and brings together developers, engineers, researchers, inventors and IT experts. Focusing on topics like artificial intelligence, computer graphics, data science, machine learning and autonomous machines, the conference offers the ideal platform for AQ Compute and Stelia to connect and exchange with like-minded innovators and builders to delve into the latest technologies that are transforming industries, from accelerated computing to generative AI and beyond. Stelia and AQ Compute are located at booth 1825.

 

Please read the entire press release.

 

Contact:

Beilquadrat GmbH, Sascha Lindemann
Phone: +49 170 22 77 224, Email: sascha.lindemann@beilquadrat.de

AQ Compute Partners with NexGen Cloud to Deliver Net Zero AI Supercloud

PRESS RELEASE

AQ Compute Launches AI-Ready Data Center in Norway, Partners with NexGen Cloud to Deliver Net Zero AI Supercloud

 

HAMBURG/LONDON/OSLO – February 27, 2024 – AQ Compute, a provider of colocation data centers and built-to-suit solutions with a strong focus on sustainability, today announces the launch of its AI-ready data center in Norway and a partnership with NexGen Cloud, a sustainable GPU Cloud and Infrastructure-as-a-Service provider, to drive decarbonization in the IT sector and facilitate AI computing in Europe. AQ Compute’s inaugural facility, AQ-OSL1 in Hønefoss near Oslo, is designed to accommodate AI workloads and provide colocation services, serving as the backbone for NexGen Cloud’s operations. This collaboration underscores a commitment to sustainability and innovation in the data center industry.

Data centers are consuming increasing amounts of electricity worldwide, and the rapid growth of AI is expected to exacerbate the problem. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that data centers consume more than 1% of the world’s electricity, approximately 48.6 TWh, and emit as much CO2 as the commercial airline industry. The industry’s energy consumption could increase further from 85.4TWh to 134.0 TWh by 2027, driven by the high power requirements of AI applications. Some estimates suggest that the information and communications technology industry’s annual electricity demand could grow to 8,000 TWh by 2030, representing 20.9% of the projected total electricity demand [Source: Energypost.eu].

AQ Compute can support NexGen Cloud’s AI workloads. To become AI-ready, AQ Compute incorporates ultra-high-density cooling coupled with heat capture through RDHX and direct liquid cooling, increasing the temperature the data center can run at and reducing cooling costs and water consumption. As a result, AQ Compute is able to run its ultra-high-density data centers more efficiently, minimizing the clients’ PUE and supporting their sustainability goals, enabling the deployment and growth of AI applications. Using water to remove the server’s heat, NexGen Cloud can improve its energy efficiency while wasting almost no water. The collaboration helps to achieve that NexGen Cloud’s $1 billion European AI supercloud will be net zero, planned with more than 20,000 NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs and providing enterprises with access to one of the world’s most powerful GPU-accelerated platforms.

“AQ Compute has set out to deliver sustainable and efficient solutions for the data center and colocation industry. Considering the growing importance of AI technology, we are excited to cooperate with NexGen Cloud to create a sustainable path for implementing this new technological advancement. We are proud to set an industry standard for AI-ready data centers by providing a modular and low-carbon design powered by clean energy. We will continue to lead the way to a highly efficient and environmentally sustainable data center industry and enable our clients to reduce their carbon footprint and implement the technologies of the future,” said Henry Daunert, CEO of AQ Compute.

Building process of AQ-OSL1

Located in Hønefoss, near Oslo, AQ-OSL1 offers accessibility and high-power availability. Despite its geographical location at the edge of Europe, Norway is increasingly moving to the center of European data traffic by expanding network connections. Access to power from renewable sources and a cool climate make Norway an ideal location for data centers. Due to the availability of clean energy, low electricity prices and cold cooling water, Norway is an attractive location for building large data centers, where 98% of the electricity is generated from renewable sources. As a result, Norway’s existing energy sector expertise can help it achieve a successful energy and climate transition.

AQ Compute and NexGen Cloud – AI-ready

NexGen Cloud will start with 6MW IT capacity, which can be extended to 14MW IT. The excess heat will be reused for the facility, equipment and neighboring plot. The data center is designed as an AI-ready and colocation data center with open space, flexible partitions, compartments, cabinets and private halls with an available IT area of approximately 1,700 m2. High power density blocks to liquid-cooling computing capacity are available. Its large plot size offers space for further data center buildings.

“The AI market is expected to grow expeditiously over the next 12 to 24 months and as such it is imperative to decarbonize as much of the data generated as possible,” said Chris Starkey, CEO of NexGen Cloud. “By partnering with AQ Compute and housing the data created within our AI Supercloud in their data center in Norway, which is powered by renewable energy and cooled with water, we are not just innovating technologically, we are pioneering a sustainable shift in the way AI data is stored. We are not only the first to be doing this in Europe but hope to jointly set the industry standard at the same time.”

 

 

About NexGen Cloud

NexGen Cloud is a sustainable European cloud IaaS, specialising in building large-scale HPC and GPU infrastructure, commanding a global presence with a first-mover advantage in Europe. Since its inception in 2020, NexGen Cloud has built one of the largest GPU fleets on the continent, fortified by the ownership of the most in-demand chips in the world, including NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs. NexGen Cloud is on a mission to democratise the accessibility of accelerated compute on a global scale by building a safer, greener, and more affordable cloud. The company’s vision is to become the world’s number one supplier of GPUaaS solutions through its cutting-edge platform, Hyperstack, whilst continuously supporting and expanding future technologies. All of NexGen Cloud’s solutions are built with the aim of tackling three of the main concerns in the current cloud market – cost, transparency, and accessibility.

 

Please read the entire press release:

in English, in German, in Spanish, and in Norwegian.

 

Please read more about the news on NexGen Cloud’s website:

https://www.nexgencloud.com/news/nexgen-cloud-and-aq-compute-advance-towards-net-zero-ai-supercloud
https://www.hyperstack.cloud/blog/company-news/nexgen-cloud-and-aq-compute-advance-towards-net-zero-ai-supercloud

 

Download press images

 

 

Andreas Myr CEO, AQ Compute Norway

We are pleased to announce Andreas Myr as the CEO of AQ Compute Norway

With over 19 years of experience in the data centre industry, Andreas Myr brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to AQ Compute. Prior to joining the company, Andreas Myr worked at Orange Business Services AS as Vice President for Datacenter Services, where he was responsible for the construction, sales and marketing of data centre services.

In his new position, Andreas Myr will focus on several key areas to further develop the colocation market in line with AQ Compute’s mission to provide modular, carbon-neutral data centre capacities and colocation services. He will lead the construction of AQ-OSL1 in Norway and ensure that the company builds the most sustainable data centre in the region. In addition, Andreas Myr will be responsible for developing and negotiating partner agreements and fostering strong collaborations to strengthen the company’s market position.


Please read the official press release in English and Norwegian.

Henry Daunert CEO, AQ Compute

We are pleased to announce Henry Daunert as the new CEO of AQ Compute

With immediate effect: Henry Daunert, the former CEO of OnValue, has previously served AQ Compute as Executive Vice President to support the development of a portfolio of Net Zero data centres in EMEA. Henry Daunert has a proven track record in the data centre industry since 1993 and due to his large network across Europe he is ideally positioned to lead AQ Compute’s further expansion.

In light of this new corporate structure, our previous CEO, Petter M. Tømmeraas, has decided to leave AQ Compute to pursue other opportunities outside of the company. He will stay on as a Special Advisor to the Board and CEO until the end of the year. We thank him for his valuable contribution in growing the company.


Please read the official press release to get more information of the new structure and the integration of the OnValue team.

Andreas Myr VP Sales Nordics, AQ Compute

We are delighted to have welcomed Andreas Myr as the Vice President Sales Nordics for the AQ Compute Team.

Andreas Myr will be responsible for initiating and developing new business opportunities in Scandinavian countries and driving the expansion of AQ Compute in Northern Europe.
With over 19 years of experience in the data centre industry, Andreas Myr brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to AQ Compute.

Welcome to the team!

Find out more in our press release.

Press conference with CBRE Spain

With the title Barcelona: Attracting business and strengthen sustainability with a green data centre campus our press conference took place together with CBRE Spain at their office in Barcelona.

We discussed our new data centre location from an economic point of view and highlighted its role for Barcelona and Catalonia.

Building a second data centre in Barcelona is a big milestone for AQ Compute and its partners. The focus continues to be on our sustainability approach and green line – to build our data centres truly green from beginning to end – and to create a recycled energy environment.

Many thanks to the Mayor of Cerdanyola del Vallès of Barcelona, Carlos Cordón, for his visit.

Strategic agreement with CBRE

AQ Compute and CBRE, two key players in the field of data centre operations, announce their strategic agreement with the aim of making AQ Compute a pan–European leader in providing global clients with data centre services.
AQ Compute’s second data centre will be located in Barcelona. It will offer a capacity of 50 MW and is planned to be ready for operation by mid/end 2024. Further jointly operated sites across Europe are scheduled. All are planned to be supplied with 100 % renewable energy.
The data centres will satisfy the needs of hyperscalers, large enterprises and other organisations that require extensive computing capacity while meeting sustainability goals.

Please have a read on the press release.

Sustainable Development Goals

ⓒ 2023 AQ Compute Services Germany GmbH