Sun, Feb 11th 2024
Swiss Data Center leaders propose a strategic shift towards international expansion, citing efficiency and resource optimization.
Swiss Data Center authorities are setting sights on relocating computing capabilities overseas. The shift comes from the Swiss National Supercomputing Center’s (CSCS) director, Thomas Schulthess, who argues against the feasibility of large-scale data centers in Switzerland akin to those by tech giants like Microsoft and Google. “Swiss Data Center operations will seek more efficient horizons, leaving local endeavors to focus on pioneering pilot projects,” Schulthess shared with SonntagsZeitung.
With its vast hydroelectric power and pre-existing infrastructural benefits, Northern Europe emerges as an ideal candidate for this outward expansion. Countries such as Finland, Norway, and Sweden offer resources far from urban demands, previously catering to mining and paper manufacturing industries. Schulthess emphasizes Switzerland’s role in enhancing the electrical frameworks in these regions to support scientific computing advancements.
Establishing “Lumi,” a collaborative effort with Finland and nine other countries, marks a significant step in this direction. This consortium has already inaugurated a data center in a repurposed Finnish paper mill, showcasing the potential for cost-effective, infrastructure-ready sites for Swiss Data Center endeavors. However, challenges remain, particularly in light of Switzerland’s recent withdrawal from EU framework agreement negotiations, complicating collaborations under the EU-governed Lumi consortium.
This strategic pivot is partly driven by the escalating demand for electricity, not just from the computing sector, including AI and high-performance units, but also from an increasing shift towards electric mobility. Schulthess stresses the imperative of societal introspection in managing the burgeoning energy requirements. This approach by Swiss Data Center leadership not only anticipates future energy needs but also sets a precedent for innovative, sustainable computing infrastructure development on a global scale.
©Keystone/SDA
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