A new data center is being planned in East Germany.
As reported by Datacenter-Insider, new firm DataHall is planning a facility in Halle/Saale, the largest city of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, some 30 miles northwest of Leipzig.
The facility is due to go live in 2026. Few details are available, but the site will reportedly total around 4MW, with plans to scale further in the future.
DCD has reached out for more information.
DataHall MD, Christoph Wegner, told DC-I: "I have been building data centers for many years. This time I wanted to develop a concept myself that goes beyond the boundaries of the data center. We have to think of the data center as part of a larger energy system."
Wegner was previously at data center construction consultancy firm Schnabel, and ABB prior to that.
DataHall is planning a mix of colocation as well as hosting its own AI hardware for customer use.
The facility is reportedly set to use “Organic Solidflow” redox flow batteries. Produced by the German startup CM Blu, it uses non-toxic liquid carbon compounds as electrolytes and aims to replace lithium-ion batteries.
DataHall will initially install 4MW of the batteries, but aims to scale to 50MW.
"Our long-term goal is to replace the Schkopau coal-fired power plant," Wegner said. That plant, built in 1996, totals 900MW.
The facility will also direct current transmission, as opposed to alternating current. It is working with Delta/Eltek.
"Direct current is not as exotic a technology as many people assume," said Wegner.
DataHall also aims to offer its waste heat to the local district heating network.
Instead of metal ions, CM Blu’s battery uses carbon-based molecules for its electrolytes. It claims its technology can scale and isn’t flammable like lithium-based batteries. Construction group Strabag and the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy have previously invested in CM Blu.
Mercedes-Benz has put in an order for the company’s technology. The startup is also deploying a pilot with German utility Uniper near Frankfurt. Several long-duration storage demonstration projects are also planned in the US.
Halle/Saale is not known for its data center market. Municipal utility company Stadtwerke Hallem operates a data center in the area.
