The communication society, the nearly universal IT support for business processes and the development of new sites bring constant challenges to the IT functions of large companies. At the same time, an IT infrastructure that is adequately equipped, both technologically and quantitatively, is the foundation for stable IT systems and thus for optimal IT support at the different corporate locations, in business processes and in the sales network. The continuous enhancement of data centers is of primary importance. The Volkswagen Group faced up to these challenges in 2011 and started operations at its new Group data center in Wolfsburg. The new two-story building features 2,000 square meters of state-of-the-art IT engineering as well as energy-efficient building technology and infrastructure. It also meets the highest international standards for security. High-performance power sets and kinetic energy storage media ensure uninterrupted operation during potential changes in voltage. The new data center raises the total computing power at the Wolfsburg site by 86% and brings IT capacity, which was formerly housed in various buildings, together at a single site. The new facility will cut annual energy consumption by 9.1 million kWh compared with the previous data centers; CO2 emissions will be reduced by 5,000 tonnes per year. Redirected outside air cools the data center for around two-thirds of the year; this high-efficiency, indirect cooling consumes no additional energy.
