GSI (Green IT Cube) Data Center

The Green IT Cube, located at the GSI FAIR campus in Darmstadt, Germany, is widely recognized as one of the world’s most advanced and energy efficient scientific data centers. Operational since 2016, it supports high performance computing for research at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum and the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research FAIR, enabling complex simulations, detector development, and large scale data analysis. Its infrastructure is purpose built for scientific workloads that demand reliability, scalability, and exceptional energy efficiency.

Engineered as a compact six story facility, the Green IT Cube can accommodate up to 768 server racks with a total cooling capacity of 12 megawatts. The building covers about 4,900 square meters and offers roughly 2,790 square meters of usable white space. It is optimized for high density deployments and future expansion. Instead of relying on conventional air cooling, the facility uses an innovative water cooling system integrated into cabinet doors, reducing cooling energy consumption to below 7% of total computing power, far more efficient than traditional data centers.

To support diverse computing and infrastructure needs, a facility like the Green IT Cube can be aligned with flexible deployment models such as full cabinets for large, dedicated installations, partial cabinets for smaller footprints, and shared rackspace for cost efficient deployments. These options allow research teams and technical users to scale their infrastructure according to project requirements while benefiting from a high performance data center environment.

A key highlight of the Green IT Cube is its heat recycling concept. The waste heat generated by computing systems is reused to warm nearby office buildings and the campus canteen. This approach significantly improves overall energy efficiency and demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

High end scientific and enterprise grade data center environments typically complement their infrastructure with on site technical support such as remote hands services. This includes assistance with hardware checks, reboots, cable management, and equipment handling, helping users maintain smooth operations without always needing to be physically present.

Thanks to its forward thinking eco design and operational efficiency, the Green IT Cube has earned multiple accolades, including the Blue Angel eco label and recognition from DataCenterDynamics. These honors highlight its role as a benchmark for sustainable, high performance scientific computing infrastructure.