The IT Center for Science (CSC) in Finland said it will create a “state of the art” data center for supercomputers, data storage and other IT systems, which will be completed in 2012.

 

Finland Minister for Education and Cutlure Henna Virkkumen said the center will focus on energy efficiency and IT Center for Science managing director Kimmo Koski said it will also look to reduce data center costs.

 

"The datacenter project is extremely important for Finland, Virkkumen said. “It will strengthen the international competitive ability for Finnish research by providing an eco-efficient location for the new supercomputer and the services it will make available in Finland.” 

 

"Our aim is to create one of the world's most eco-efficient data centers,” Koski said. “[It will be] operated using locally produced energy and with a minimal carbon footprint . . . This will bring significant cost benefits in electricity transfer costs."

 

Hydroelectric plants in Kajaani will power the plant and cooling will come from a nearby river. It will be situated in the Renforsin Ranta business park which has a particular focus on measurement and information technology. 

 

The CSC covers the IT resources for Finland’s higher education and research institutions, including their storage requirements and supercomputing power. It also works with the European Organization for Nuclear Research.