Lancaster University is launching an innovation project that aims to eventually develop a carbon net-zero data center in Blackpool, Lancashire, UK.
The Blackpool Innovation Catalyst aims to connect business and academia to explore regeneration through digital infrastructure and renewable energy projects.
One of the latest projects of the initiative aims to form a taskforce to identify challenges and accelerate the development of a net carbon zero data center in Blackpool to explore regeneration through digital infrastructure and renewable energy projects.
The four-month project, launched this month, will see local businesses and the university work on a series of investigative and action-focused ‘Innovation Collaboratories’ to collectively map out their shared geographical challenges and innovation needs and “help make the plans a reality.”
By June the group aims to have developed an ecosystem of firms, industry experts, academics, support service providers and others that collectively could have ability to solve challenges relating to a net-zero data center
The project is supported by Lancashire County Council and Blackpool Council, through £448,235 ($585,000) funding from the UK Government's Community Renewal Fund.
Christopher Lowerson, Community Renewal Fund Programme Manager at Lancaster University, said: “The Innovation Catalyst is unlike any program we have run before. It is not a content-led workshop concept, but is something more unique.
“We create a stimulating environment for carefully-selected business leaders who have the desire to innovate and be at the forefront of creating an exciting future for their region. We let them drive the conversation, but bring relevant stakeholders and other experts in at key points to inject new knowledge, fresh ideas, stimulate thinking, challenge and share the latest research – which helps facilitate and accelerate innovation.”
Details of what a potential data center might look like or contain weren’t shared. A spokesperson for Lancaster University said the details of how the net zero data center will be achieved will be worked out as the initiative progresses, and the project is just beginning.
