Introduction of a multifunctional big data analytics platform service using a sustainable container data center

Description

The goal of the project is to increase the productivity and competitiveness of SIA “DATI Group” by introducing a new service – a multifunctional big data analytics platform that will be based on a private cloud solution set up in a sustainable container data center.

 

The project will be carried out in the field of information and communication technology: big data and cloud computing. The new cloud solution platform will feature big data analytics tools including a resource-efficient computing task optimization solution (RECOTOS) that was developed by the applicant during a research project and that will ensure the efficiency of computing task execution.

 

The infrastructure required to provide the service will be set up in an energy-neutral container data center to ensure sustainability and longevity of operations for the platform with minimal environmental impact. The container data center will feature green technology solutions that will reduce both energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Main project activities:

1. Purchase of hardware and relevant software:
   1. Servers, switches and their software
   2. Container data center technical hardware and equipment;
   3. Support equipment set;
2. Activities related to introduction of the new service:
   1. Employee engagement in the development and provision of the new service;
3. Knowledge transfer activities with project partner from the donor country (Norway);
4. Information and communication activities.

Summary of project results

The main challenges the Project set out to address:

• The project applicant has not offered data storage services or big data analytics solution services, which demands high computing power and capacity before the Project;
• Although the existing Project applicant ICT infrastructure could be used for the provision of new services (big data storage and analytics), it wouldn’t be able to provide it in an energy-efficient and sustainable manner;
• The project applicant has no previous experience and in-depth knowledge related to the deployment and usage of energy-neutral container data centres to ensure sustainability and longevity of operations for the new service with minimal environmental impact.

During the implementation of the project, the following activities were carried out:

• Purchase and installation of hardware and relevant software:

• Purchase of servers, switches and their software to ensure energy-efficiency;
• Purchase of container data centre technical hardware and equipment to ensure sustainability;
• Purchase of support equipment set to ensure continuity of the service.

• Activities related to introduction of the new service:

• Employee engagement in the development and provision of the new service

• Knowledge transfer activities with project partner from the donor country (Norway) to ensure transfer of best practice related to container data center heat recovery and transfer system;
• Information and communication activities to ensure provision of information about project to the general public and specific target groups.

As a result of the implementation of the project, 1 new service was introduced: a multifunctional big data analytics platform that is based on a private cloud solution and set up in a sustainable container data centre. Thus, ensuring the increase of productivity and competitiveness of SIA “DATI Group”.

Main results of Project:

• 1 new service: multifunctional big data analytics platform;
• 1 energy-efficient and sustainable ICT infrastructure (includes: set of servers, switches and software; sustainable container data center with the necessary equipment and set of support equipment);
• 10 employees are engaged in the Project (6 existing employees and 4 new positions), from which at least 2 are in category disadvantaged employees: “individual above the age of 50”.

It is planned that after thehe introduction of the new solution it will produce the following financial and environmental improvements (based on modelled indicator forecasts for the next year after Project implementation):

Financial indicators:

• Turnover 5 525 798 (increase of 28.2%)
• Export volume turnover 513 890 (increase of 101%)
• Value added per employee 263 529 (increase of 12.8%)

Environmental indicators: 

• Reduction of CO2 emissions:  77,63  tCO2 per year;
• Reduction of energy comsumption:  729,47 MWh per year

It is expected that the average export value in 3 years will amount to 30% of total demand in the identified target markets within EU (mostly in the Baltic states).

Summary of bilateral results

The project execution has involved an external partner from Norway: engineering company Norsk Energi, which has more than 100 years of experience and which operates in the field of energy management solution development, implementation of energy efficiency measures, reuse of unused heat energy, environmental consultations and other services.Several cooperation activities were undertaken as a part of the partnership – relating to evaluating the technology installed in the container data centre and including knowledge transfer of the best-practice approaches regarding the optimal set-up and management of heat energy recovery and transfer system. Through these activities, the Partner provided crucial input in creating the infrastructure required for the delivery of the new service – the creation of an optimal heat collection and thermal energy transfer system for the container data centre. The Partner was involved in knowledge transfer activities regarding the operations of the installed technology, including energy savings, thus providing additional knowledge on the potential development and sustainability of the selected solution.Through cooperation with the project applicant, Norsk Energi not only received a technical evaluation but also gained new experience with non-standardized container data center solutions, autonomous systems, and innovative materials for heat conducting. Thus, the Partner used the newfound experience to develop its own services and improve its competitiveness. This means that in addition to a short-term economic benefit in the form of payment for delivered services, the Partner will also benefit in the long term, thanks to this new experience. Both partners have meetings in presence in the SIA “DATI Group” office in Riga and Norway, where they organized meetings and established contacts with the Norwegian data centers.