Sustainability at DCA: Living What We Believe

In Parts 1 and 2, we explored some of the tangible ways DCA operates sustainably. Equally important is how we live out our sustainability commitment in our everyday work and lifestyle. At DCA, we believe that our actions, both in business and in life, should reflect our values.

Optimizing Power Use

Power consumption is a significant environmental concern for data centres. While the source of the power—whether from renewable sources like wind or solar—has a major impact, DCA’s power comes from the grid, which we cannot directly control. However, we can influence how our customers use power, ultimately benefiting both them and the environment.

Pay-As-You-Use (PAYU) Colocation Power

Unlike traditional data centre contracts that involve lump sum power arrangements, leading to ‘stranded capacity’ where allocated power goes unused, DCA offers a Pay-As-You-Use (PAYU) model. This approach means customers only pay for the power they actually use, measured in 0.1 kWh units. This not only ensures fair pricing but also improves the efficiency of our Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) by maximising the use of allocated power.

No Fixed Power Caps on Racks

At DCA, our racks are not limited by fixed power ratings (e.g., 4 kW), which can lead to unused capacity. Instead, our racks are flexible, allowing them to draw as much—or as little—power as needed. This enhances UPS efficiency by ensuring lower loads and minimising waste.

Green Power Availability

For customers interested in reducing their carbon footprint, we offer carbon-neutral power options at an additional charge. This allows all associated emissions from their power usage to be offset. Additionally, DCA is currently trialling the use of solar power with panels installed on the rooftops of our data halls to power our front office.

DCA Walking Challenge  

Living sustainably also means taking care of ourselves and making eco-friendly choices. In 2022, DCA launched the Walking Challenge for our staff, encouraging healthy living and reducing our reliance on transport that produces emissions.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on DCA’s sustainable initiatives! Visit our LinkedIn profile to share your feedback.