Our data consumption is growing at lightning speed, so many servers within data centers use a lot of power. But over the years, parties within the digital infrastructure are actually working hard to be as efficient as possible.

A good example of a new location contributing to energy transition is the Green Energy Park in Zellik (Brussels region). This research hub was established in 2019 by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the UZ Brussel (UZB) to develop innovative solutions to societal challenges together with government and industry.

This Nexus Datacenter is Belgium's first truly sustainable center. It uses 100 percent green energy, some of which is generated locally. The design focuses on maximum energy efficiency. It also recovers heat from the servers, uses rainwater for cooling and is designed as a circular building. It aims to reuse materials, minimize new raw materials and minimize pollution.

Green Energy Park will be a large-scale living lab where companies, research institutions, governments and users work together in co-creation on innovative and sustainable solutions to societal challenges. The research focuses on four areas: the transition to green energy and mobility, the hospital of the future, digital issues such as smart cities and smart technologies based on Artificial Intelligence and biotechnology.

Planning, such as obtaining permits and financing, to building a data center takes time. Therefore, it is important to bring the right parties together to get started professionally. Ingenium is one of the parties involved in the development of the Nexus data center.

Moreover, the Brussels data center Penta BRU01 has been awarded the title "Best Data Centre Sustainability Project of the Year" at the Datacloud Awards 2025!
Having previously been named "Data Centre of the Year" at the DCR Excellence Awards, this is another great recognition of our commitment to a greener future.

photos: Capture Photography

image: robust architecture

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Facts:

• 7.2 MegaWatts of IT power
• Sustainability highlights:
  ✓ Industry-leading PUE
  ✓ Maximum on-site solar through photovoltaic facade
  ✓ Rainwater harvesting in sub-basement basin
  ✓ Cascaded HVAC: heat reuse, adiabatic cooling
  ✓ On-campus heat recovery grid
  ✓ Local smart grid island mode

• Penta Infra BRU01 is triple certified:
  ✓ BREEAM Excellent
  ✓ EDGE Advanced
  ✓ Uptime Institute Tier III
• Supercomputer 1 megawatt (TIER I)
• Development and construction by Ghelamco
• Design, construction follow up and Commissioning by Ingenium

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