Introduction

With the surge of artificial intelligence and digitalization globally, data centres have become the backbone of modern economies, enabling the seamless operation of digital services. However, the rapid growth of data centres has also brought about significant environmental challenges, particularly in tropical regions like Southeast Asia, where high temperatures and humidity levels increase the energy demands for cooling. In response to these challenges, Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed has been established to develop, test and scale sustainable data centre technologies suited for tropical climates.

Building an innovation ecosystem

One of the most significant achievements of the co-innovation programme has been its success in building a comprehensive ecosystem of data centre stakeholders. These include 22 industry partners, government agencies and research institutions, all working together to drive innovation and sustainability. The technology partners contribute cutting-edge solutions for testing and validation, while industry leaders offer insights into market needs and operational challenges. This collaboration ecosystem has been instrumental in fostering innovation and enabling the co-development of solutions that address the unique challenges faced by data centres in tropical environments.

The testbed has facilitated regular interactions between stakeholders through workshops, collaborative projects and testbed tours, accelerating the development of sustainable technologies and strengthening relationship within the industry, paving the way for long-term partnerships and collaborative ventures.

 Test-bedding a range of technologies

At the core of the testbed is its role as a living laboratory where a range of technologies can be testbed and validated in real-world conditions. The testbed has provided a controlled environment for experimenting with innovative cooling solutions, energy-efficient hardware and advanced data centre management systems. By evaluating these technologies under tropical climate, the STDCT has generated valuable insights into their performance, scalability and potential for commercialization.

Key technologies which have been tested at STDCT include direct-chip liquid cooling, immersion cooling, enhanced indirect evaporative cooling with desiccant-coated heat exchanger and cognitive digital twin. These technologies have shown promising results in reducing the energy consumption, making them viable options for widespread adoption across the region.

Enabling sustainable digital infrastructure

The STDCT is not just a testing ground for technologies, it is a critical enabler of sustainable digital infrastructure in Singapore. By demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of green data centre technologies, the testbed is poised to play a pivotal role in driving the adoption of sustainable practices across the industry. The insights gained from the testbed can shape industry standards and guide investment decisions, all of which contribute to the broader goal of reducing environmental impact of data centres.

The testbed plays a critical role in positioning Singapore as an innovation hub for sustainable data centre solutions for tropical climates. As more countries in the region look to expand their digital infrastructure, the technologies and best practices developed at the STDCT serve as a blueprint for achieving sustainability goals while meeting the growing demand for digital services.

Conclusion

The Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed represents a significant milestone in the journey towards sustainable digital infrastructure in Singapore and the region. By building a strong ecosystem of stakeholders, facilitating the test-bedding of cutting-edge technologies and enabling the adoption of green practices, the testbed is paving the way for a future where data centres are both efficient and environmentally responsible. As the digital economy continues to grow, the STDCT will remain a vital asset in ensuring that this growth is sustainable and aligned with environmental goals.