Cross-laminated timber, not steel, could be the solution for the next generation of data centre modules. It comes as German-based Prior1 is one of several companies using wood to build data centre and server room modules, including the Eco Fix—a 6.5 x 3.0 x 3.4m module that has enough room to host five data racks, a 14kW propane-based indirect cooling system and a 15kVA UPS module.
“The module’s core is spruce-based X-LAM cross-laminated timber from timber engineering firm DERIX Group,” according to Data Centre Dynamics, which revealed that the container-based module was developed with the help of DERIX, who provided expertise for wood processing alongside assurance of sustainable origin and dismantling concepts.
Wood Central understands the new modules meet all requirements for EN 50600 – the European standard for data centre infrastructure – including F90 fire protection, RC2 burglar protection, and efficiency standards:
“All components are pre-installed and tested, with the power and networking work required after arrival. The containerised module is delivered fully equipped, including air conditioning, power supply, security, and monitoring technology. A 5 kW solar sunshade roof is an available extra. At the end of its life, the container can be completely dismantled, with all components returned.”
Prior1 is one of several companies using wood as a structural material in data centres. According to Data Dynamics, EcoDataCentre and Boden Type are now using CLT in Swedish and Icelandic data centres. Meanwhile, Wood Central last year revealed that Microsoft was constructing two data centres in Northern Virginia, using cross-laminated timber in its frame.
The new centres, designed by Gensler—responsible for hundreds of cross-laminated timber buildings worldwide—come after Wood Central revealed that developers are turning to mass timber to green up data centres, now more than 20 times larger than just a few years ago. According to Jim Hanna, Sustainability lead for Microsoft’s Data Centre engineering team, the decision to use cross-laminated timber rather than steel-and-concrete is part of a company-wide push to become net-zero neutral by 2030, ahead of a 2050 goal of removing all emissions emitted since 1975.
