RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — IBM plans to build a $360 million data center on its current campus in Research Triangle Park. The center is specifically being built to enable IBM to deliver cloud-computing capabilities to clients. Cloud computing allows individuals to access information and services from any device with high levels of availability and quality of experience.
The new state-of-the-art center will feature approximately 120,000 square feet and will emerge from an existing building that will be redeveloped. Phase I includes 60,000 square feet of raised floor data center space that can potentially be expanded in standard modular increments. IBM will also use its Project Big Green and High Density Zone initiatives to reduce energy consumption. Other green initiatives will include:
o Reusing 95 percent of the original building’s shell
o Recycling 90 percent of materials from the original building
o A portion of newly purchased materials will be from recycled products
o An estimated reduction of 31,799 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year
o Alternative energy sources will partially power the center
o Energy efficient lighting
o Installation of an integrated cooling system
Durham County approved allocating $750,000 in economic development incentives for the center.
“This new data center is part of IBM's commitment to construct the world's most advanced data centers,” says Bob Greenberg, general manager of IT Optimization and North Carolina senior state executive at IBM. “This is the latest example of IBM’s deep history of innovation in North Carolina. When we open for business in late 2009, the new IBM data center assures that Research Triangle Park will be a strategic location for our outsourcing business for many years to come.”
Construction is slated to begin in September and IBM expects to begin hosting clients in late 2009.