Helsinki 2024

The European Green Deal: Transforming the Nordics Into the Sustainable Digital Backbone of Europe

Our opening keynote will delve into the European Green Deal's implications for data center Investors, data center operators, and enterprise data center end users. 

Diederik Samsom is recognized for his pivotal role in shaping the European Green Deal. His work is often described in terms of masterminding and steering the Green Deal, reflecting his deep involvement and strategic approach in aligning the 27 member states with the EU's climate targets. 

Diesel Generators and Sustainability: Strategies for Data Centers

Data centers, the backbone of our digital era, face escalating demand and tightening environmental regulations. Their reliance on diesel generators for backup power presents a crucial need for emission reduction. Our presentation explores strategies to reduce diesel generator emissions significantly, examining engine technology choices, Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) use, maintenance protocols, pre-heating systems, and after-treatment solutions.

Datacenter Changemakers Finland
Episode 1

Our live talk show with the people who are changing the face of the data center industry, hosted & moderated by Liselotte Lyngsø, Founder of Future Navigator.

All About AI – Policy & Strategy

The explosion in AI demand has significant implications for the data center industry and IT management. As AI technologies mature and are integrated across sectors, the need to collaborate closely with policymakers and local municipalities to create an enabling environment for further growth and development is critical. What should data center operators expect within Finland's market moving forward, and how can they take advantage of the opportunities it offers?

Guests:

Timo Harakka – Member, Parliament of Finland

Irina Kupiainen – Public Affairs Director, CSC – IT Center for Science

Miia Lindell – Senior Advisor, Information and Technology Policy, Technology Industries of Finland

Janne Hirvonen – Counsellor for Technology and Digitalisation in Trade Policy, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

All About AI – Digital Infrastructure Innovation

From ever-increasing energy needs, to innovative cooling requirements, AI applications and high-performing computing are fundamentally transforming data centers across the Nordics. This segment will explore how Finnish data center providers are navigating the complexities surrounding AI, working to meet their customer demands, and pioneering state-of-the-art innovation such as liquid cooling.

Guests:

Kim Gunnelius – Managing Director Finland, Verne

Sami Raitanen – Network Program Manager, EMEA, Microsoft

Riikka Salminen – Managing Director, Dell Technologies Finland

All About AI – A Case for Controlled Growth

Our deep dive into all things AI concludes with a discussion with colocation provider Verne and their international customer, the IT services and consultancy company, Solita. How does Verne deal with the specific demands of increasing AI loads, what's Solita's approach to the AI demands their customers have – and how can the two companies help each other alleviate the pressures the AI boom brings on different levels?

Guests:

John Tackman – AI Lead, Solita

Kim Gunnelius – Managing Director Finland, Verne

Hybrid IT in Finland

Over the next two years, a vast majority of infrastructure strategies will integrate a combination of on-premises, colocation, cloud, and edge delivery options. What are the drivers behind this trend, and how can IT operators manage the compliance, security, cost, and sustainability considerations of hybrid IT systems? And where exactly do you put your data? We'll debunk the latency myth, and explore why Finland is the innovative choice for high-performance computing and reliable data storage.

Guests:

Janne Herkama – Business Unit Director, Advania Finland

Pekka Järveläinen – Sales Director, Finland & Europe East, atNorth

The Thermal Tsunami: Riding the Wave of Liquid Cooling for Future Compute

We take a look at cooling technology innovations in the near term and a glimpse at future opportunities with a focus on operating data centers in an environmentally sustainable way. Rapid digitalization is reliant on vital applications that push the boundaries for the transfer of data inside data centers, communication networks, and critical facilities. Whilst economics remain a constant consideration there is a real need for environmental considerations. Where will this take us and how we will get there as the industry faces increasing regulatory oversight in a hyper-competitive environment?

Save Resources Building Data Centers: 5 Keys to be More Efficient in Commissioning Test Phases

Commissioning is a critical and absolutely essential step to avoid service interruption costs that can run into millions of euros. With more than 200MW per year to be tested across Scandinavia, the coming months are busy. As a reference partner for the rental of smart load banks, with more than 200 data center commissioning projects per year carried out with general contractors and mechanical and electrical companies in Europe and the United States, Rentaload has extensive experience in how a proper data center's commissioning can be done in the most efficient way. Discover five ways to save resources during your commissioning!

Why Data Centers Should Care About Interconnection

For years, customers chose data centers for reliability, security, scalability, and efficiency. Today’s enterprise customers and content providers are looking beyond the traditional value of a data center and expect new value from them instead. Hear about interconnection and what the benefits are for you and your customers.

Data Center Survey – Finland Survey Insights

Join us during the announcement of the much-anticipated results of the Data Center Survey – Finland. This collaborative effort by Datacenter Forum and EPI offers unparalleled insights into the trends and challenges of the local data center landscape. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and network with industry peers.

Datacenter Forum Presents: Industry Talks

Hosted by the Finnish Data Center Association (FCDA) in collaboration with Datacenter Forum, this new format will discuss the most pressing topics the industry faces in Finland. The panel will specifically address local and EU regulation, data center growth across Finland, and the challenges for newcomers to the Finnish digital infrastructure sector.

With:

Satu Merenheimo – Data Center Solution Sales Lead, Telia (moderator)
Emma Niemistö – Partner and Head of Projects & Construction, Borenius Attorneys Ltd.

Veijo Terho – Director, Sales Engineering and Customer Success, Verne Finland & Chairman of the Board, FDCA

Mikko Aho – Head of Sales Finland and Regional Business Unit Head, IT Solutions North/East Europe, Rittal & Board Member, FDCA

This special edition of Datacenter Changemakers will focus exclusively on Japan!

In June 2023, the Japanese government positioned Hokkaido – the northernmost prefecture and the country’s second-largest island – as a core base for Japan’s third digital infrastructure regional cluster that is meant to surpass Tokyo and Osaka. Hokkaido’s advantages include abundant renewable energy, an environment suitable for the development of generative AI and advanced AI infrastructure, next-generation semiconductors made in Hokkaido, and new communication networks connecting to Nordic countries through the Arctic sea. 

With its parallels to the Nordics, state-of-the-art digital infrastructure, and new data center development driven by investment opportunities, government support, and renewable energy, Hokkaido is moving ahead with a strategy to focus on attracting data centers. To celebrate cooperation between Japan and Finland, Datacenter Forum is honored to host a delegation led by Naotaka Yanagawa – President of the Ishikari Renewable Energy-Run Data Center No. 1, the Director of Flower Communications Inc., and the Founder of the Hokkaido Nutopia Data Center Study Group – who seeks to draw even closer collaboration between Hokkaido and Helsinki.

With:

Liselotte Lyngsø – Founder, Future Navigator (moderator)

Aki Uljas – Senior Partner, Cambridge Management Consulting Ltd.

Eeva Liljanto – Director, Sales & Partnerships, Strategic Ventures, Cinia Oy

The Importance of Reporting Energy Efficiency & Providing Predictive Insights

In this presentation, we examine the importance of providing sustainable and energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment to data centers, and explore the key drivers behind the efficiency standards that need to be achieved. A key element of the energy efficiency of the equipment is not just in the equipment selection process, but also how the equipment is then controlled/monitored following the installation as well as how Carrier’s aftermarket technologies can help provide predictive insights to the continued performance of the equipment. Our automated solutions not only improve the performance (Lifecycle & Uptime) of the equipment, but have a crucial role in the energy reporting and increasing efficiency as well.

Data Center Carbon Reporting: Energy Certificates and Scope 3

While carbon reporting for data center on-site emissions (Scope 1) and purchased energy (Scope 2) is fairly well understood, there is confusion regarding value chain emissions (Scope 3) and different viewpoints regarding the use of Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) to improve sustainability ratings. This presentation reviews results from Uptime Institute's latest research and insights in these areas.

Datacenter Changemakers Finland
Episode 2

Our live talk show with the people who are changing the face of the data center industry, hosted & moderated by Liselotte Lyngsø, Founder of Future Navigator.

Energy Availability & Investment

Data center markets across North America and mainland Europe increasingly face a significant challenge to growth and future investment: access to electricity. The Nordics have great connectivity with the rest of the world and – seemingly – room for growth to spare, ample space and plenty of renewable energy. How can Finland in particular continue to capitalize on its competitive energy advantage and generate new investment opportunities in the coming years?

Guests:

Jovita Januskeviciute – EMEA Research Manager, DC Byte

Olli-Pekka Mäkirintala – Head of FDI and Start-up Services, City of Vantaa

Esa Suoninen – Senior Project Manager, Industrial Electrification, Fortum Power and Heat

Sami Niiranen – Senior Consultant, Data Center Project Management, Granlund & Secretary of the Board, Finnish Data Center Association

ESG & Regulatory Compliance

With new policy, legislation, and regulation demanding more sustainable infrastructure going forward, data center operators must now face the (often-daunting) task of complying with sustainability reporting requirements. Amid the ever-growing importance of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) standards and the adoption of new regulations, such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), small data center operators in particular need to pay full attention to compliance. This segment will address what you need to do to prepare going forward.

Guests include:

Antti-Jussi Laine – Data Centre Business Lead, Sweco Finland & Board Member, FDCA