Our very own Graham Todd, Technical Director at Sotech, spoke alongside Alistair Law, founder of Vertical Meadow, at the Data Centre Dynamics (DCD) Connect event in London last week.
The focus? Can data centres really prove to be good neighbours?
It’s a timely topic as more and more sustainable solutions are needed as urban areas grow and expand. Imagine a future where data centers not only power our lives but also enhance our cities’ green spaces and biodiversity.
Here are some key highlights from the stage:
Alistair and Graham discussed the transformative potential of Optima Meadow, Sotech’s vertical greening solution which integrates native wildflower meadows into building façades, offering a unique approach to enhancing urban biodiversity.
During his session, Alistair participated in a pivotal debate titled “Courting Communities – Can Data Centers Really Prove Themselves to Be Good Neighbours?” He addressed the importance of data centers as responsible stewards of their environments, emphasising how Optima Meadow can transform conventional data centers into thriving ecosystems that not only meet technological needs but also contribute positively to local communities.
Alistair and Graham then focused on the Optima Meadow system, highlighting the ways in which the innovative living wall solution enhances aesthetics, whilst also playing a crucial role in biodiversity, cooling, and noise reduction.
Key points discussed included:
Biodiversity Net Gain: With the UK’s Environment Act 2021 mandating a 10% increase in biodiversity for new developments, the Optima Meadow system helps data centers meet these requirements in a beautiful way.
Cooling Benefits: By lowering surrounding temperatures, the living wall system can improve energy efficiency in data centers, contributing to substantial cost savings.
Aesthetic Integration: As urban areas become more congested, presenting a green façade can help integrate data centers into their communities, making them visually appealing and less imposing. This helps with planning permissions.
Rapid Installation and Growth: Unlike traditional methods, Optima Meadow allows for quick installation (with no planting on site) and visible plant growth within a week, making it a practical solution for meeting urban greening mandates.
The event provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to connect with Sotech and Vertical Meadow’s team to explore how Optima Meadow can revolutionise data center design. With over 2,500 industry leaders in attendance, DCD Connect fostered meaningful discussions on the future of sustainable data center solutions.
The team loved connecting with fellow industry leaders and discussing how we can create more sustainable and visually appealing data centers together. If you missed Graham and Alistair in person, feel free to reach out to learn more about how Optima Meadow can make a difference!
Or press play below to watch Graham and Alistair discuss the system, its applications and its benefits.
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