DEAC and DLC: Delivering sustainable cloud services to the Baltics and beyond

Andris Gailitis, the CEO of European Data Center Operator DEAC and Data Logistics Center (DLC), is quick to point out that the companies’ commitment to sustainability is heartfelt and genuine. Part of Baltic Rezo, both companies provide enterprises in the Baltics, Northern Europe, and beyond with high-performance data centers and a robust suite of cloud computing and IT solutions.

We recently connected with A. Gailitis to learn more about both companies’ efforts to reduce their carbon footprints, their use of renewable sources of energy, and innovative steps being taken to reduce power requirements. We also took the opportunity to see where he sees opportunities for cloud services and solutions providers to make a difference.

“It is important to know that at DEAC and DLC, our commitment to sustainability extends beyond profits and growth,” says Gailitis. “We support the EU directives on the reduction of CO2, and we understand the inherent interconnectedness between business and the planet. And among our employees, there is a general and personal understanding that with every eco-conscious decision we make, we inch closer to a future where ‘industry’ and ‘sustainability’ coexist in harmony.”

Gailitis, who joined DEAC as CTO when the company was founded in 1999, is excited about not only the efforts to decrease carbon emissions already underway, but future endeavors, among them the construction of DEAC’s newest data center, a state-of-the-art facility in Riga, Latvia, where it will augment the operation of DEAC’s existing facility.

“We already source all of our electricity from wind farms in Northern Europe and use Neste MY diesel, which consists of hydrotreated vegetable oil made from renewable materials, in our generators,” adds Gailitis. “But at the end of the day, it’s not just about using renewable sources of energy, it’s also about using all energy in a more efficient manner.”

He points to the company’s already operating data center in Riga, and its counterpart, aptly named “Data Inn” located in Vilnius, Lithuania as examples. Both facilities use a three-stage cooling system and take full advantage of the outdoor air that provides free cooling for much of the year. The facility in Riga also uses Vertiv Liebert HPC chillers that draw in outside air and transfer it to data center floor mounts with highly efficient fans and pumps.

At Data Inn, cooling is provided by a Munters Oasis Indirect Evaporative Cooling system that uses ambient air coupled with an adiabatic cooling system. It reduces energy consumption by more than 80%.

“Cooling is of course an important consideration given the amount of heat data centers produce and the need to manage it, and it’s important to constantly strive for improvement,” he says. “Our new data center in Riga, currently under construction, will use an even more innovative approach called a cool wall system that delivers more space in the server room and does not require recirculating coolers.”

Not surprisingly, the facilities in use in Riga and Vilnius, are already impressive in the energy savings they make possible, with each boasting a Power Usage Effectiveness of 1.3 and 1.4 respectively. But Gailitis stresses that the full environmental impact of each data center can only be fully appreciated when looking at the services and the solutions they make possible.

“Before the cloud, companies used servers on-premises, which is not the most effective, secure, or efficient way to operate,” he says. “In contrast, cloud technologies provide organizations with a versatile and scalable platform for collecting, processing, analyzing, and acting on data related to carbon emissions, while simultaneously enabling remote work and other transformative changes that radically reduce the use of fossil fuels and empower organizations to work smarter and more effectively. Not only can organizations exceed their Science-Based Targets by leveraging the power of these technologies, but they can collectively contribute to a more sustainable future.”

He stresses that it’s a win-win for all involved.

“Our employees here at DEAC and DLC expect and create a culture of responsibility and awareness,” he says “At the same time, our valued, long-term partners – including stalwarts and leaders like VMware for over a decade – demand sustainability, as do our customers. Having a clear long-term vision for achieving zero carbon emissions sets us apart, and having a comprehensive roadmap that outlines strategies, targets, and milestones demonstrates that we are committed and taking action – all of which builds trust among those we serve and work with.”

Learn more about DEAC and DLC and their partnership with VMware here and here.