BDx Data Center Spotlight Series: Introducing NKG1, Nanjing’s Most Intelligent Data Center Revealed

Moving full speed ahead, the latest stop on BDx’s data center spotlight tour brings us to BDX’s recently launched 60MVA NKG Data Center Campus in the heart of China’s Yangtze River Delta in Nanjing, China. Recognized as one of the nation’s wealthiest regions and its largest import and export base, Nanjing is the perfect location for this state-of-the-art data center campus and NKG1, BDx’s newest facility. Well-positioned to help domestic and international businesses expand their reach in a secure colocation environment, NKG1 is ready for the limelight. 

A Look into Nanjing 

Nanjing is ranked second among the cities with the most sustainable development potential in the Delta. It is affectionately known as the “Venice of China” due to its vast waterways and beautiful scenery. In addition, the city is renowned for its wide variety of architecture, mainly containing buildings from multiple dynasties, the Republic of China, and the present. 

Emerging Technologies, Rapid Transformation 

Information technology, energy saving and environmental protection, new energy, smart power grid and intelligent equipment manufacturing have become pillar industries across Nanjing. These vital industries contributed significantly to BDx’s decision to launch its latest Asia Pacific data center here. What’s more, according to GlobalData’s Market Opportunity Forecasts Model, China is set to dominate the region’s cloud computing market revenue in the lead up to 2024, with one-third of its revenue market share. In turn, China’s cloud computing revenue market will heavily rely on data centers such as BDx’s NKG1 with an estimated compound annual growth rate of 7.2% to reach US$63.7 billion in 2024.

As China rapidly transforms into a digitally empowered nation and economy, emerging technologies like the cloud, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) will require modern infrastructure and world-class facilities, such as NKG1, to enable businesses, government, healthcare and financial institutions to prosper in China and throughout the world. 

Behind the Scenes 

BDx broke ground on NKG1 amid the pandemic and shortly after the Chinese government implemented a national lockdown. This caused our team to revise NKG1’s construction timeline and enforce strict measures to ensure our employees’ and contractors’ health and safety. Hitting several roadblocks and challenges along the way, our team persevered through many stops and starts and difficult language barriers to deliver the most sophisticated data center design in Nanjing.  

Our dynamic marketing team documented NKG1’s progress with a weekly hard-hat series across social media channels. These posts delivered construction updates and marked key milestones along the way. One of these updates included news of the data center receiving power last summer. In an effort to ensure quality capacity is available for existing customers, new facilities aren’t often connected during the summer, when power demands are at an annual peak. Thankfully, officials recognized the value of NKG1 and worked with us to run power, reinforcing the importance of the data center to the market.

Uptime Certified 

Before we even opened our doors, NKG1 became the first data center in Nanjing to earn the prestigious Uptime Institute Tier III Certification of Design Documents. In case you haven’t heard, Uptime Institute is the IT industry’s most trusted and adopted global standard for the proper design, build and operation of data centers. 

The Uptime Institute’s Tier Certification of Design Documents is based on a rigorous set of criteria covering mechanical, electrical, structural and site elements. Uptime Institute experts reviewed NKG1’s design documents and provided consulting support, which guided a final design compliant with the Tier III rating. We couldn’t be more thrilled to boast this accomplishment and offer our customers the design their mission-critical infrastructure deserves.

Inside NKG1

With 4MW of critical power, NKG1 is designed to support multi-national corporations, financial services and OTT customers, especially for high-power density demands. Meet-me-rooms are integrated across the operating footprint with access to multiple connected carriers. The facility offers direct access to major domestic exchanges and Points of Presence (PoPs) within Nanjing. 

NKG1 is powered by two separate 10-kilovolt feeders from two substations that will provide the NKG campus 60 MVA of total power sanctioned from the grid.

From advanced mechanical and electrical infrastructure, such as thermal storage tanks for uninterruptible cooling and N + 1 diesel generator redundancy, to top-of-the-line security and fire protection, BDx’s NKG1 is built for today’s most discerning customers. 

Furthermore, the use of BDx’s automated modules allows us to provide a level of customization that rivals competitors in efficiency and cost, offering customers the ability to manage physical racks with the same ease as working in public clouds.

NKG1 Snapshot:

Gross area: 12,500 m2

Power capacity: 4MW

Tier: Ⅲ

Why NKG1?

Whether you need a single rack, complete custom configuration across a whole floor, or a mega power expansion over the next three years, NKG1 has you covered and is monitored by our 24×7 Global Data Centre Operations team. As if that isn’t enough, a highly-automated 35MW NKG2 facility is currently being developed (launching late 2021) so BDx can continue to support and provide customers with the additional capacity and power needed in today’s digital world. 

We supply the power, space, and connectivity you need to transform and scale, with the ability to automate and manage your services from any device or any location with BDx SmartHands. 

Your success is our mission, and reliability is our game.

NKG1 is camera-ready, click here for a virtual tour and to connect with one of our #BDxperts today.