End of the next stage at the construction of the STOS Competence Centre
Another important stage of the construction of the STOS complex of the Gdańsk University of Technology has been completed
One of the most important and largest infrastructure investments in Pomerania is being built on the campus of the Gdańsk University of Technology: the STOS Competence Centre. A state-of-the-art IT centre will distinguish Gdańsk in this part of Europe, and construction works are progressing according to the schedule despite unfavourable weather conditions. The building has just reached the so-called “shell state”.
The STOS Competence Centre (Smart and Transdisciplinary knOwledge Services) of the Gdańsk University of Technology, which is being built on the university campus in Traugutta Street, is to be the seat of the Information Centre of the Tri-City Academic Computer Network of the Gdańsk University of Technology. Its most important space is the so-called “bunker”, where one of the fastest supercomputers in Poland will be located, which will enable the collection, processing and archiving of huge data sets and the performance of complex simulations in scientific research. The facility is to be ready for use this year, so the works – despite the winter – are in full swing.
“We successfully managed to complete the building shell and secure it against winter conditions. In the garage part, it has been practically finished in terms of insulation, painting and laying resin floors,” says Michał Sadowski, Project Director, NDI. ”At the “0” level, that is in the heart of this investment, the entire woodwork has already been installed and a raised floor has been made. Suspended ceilings are also being completed. In addition, the individual technical rooms are already equipped with the most important devices.”
“We are very pleased that despite the unfavourable weather conditions, the complex construction works are gradually progressing,” says Mariusz Miler, Chancellor of the Gdańsk University of Technology. ”This facility is long awaited not only by our academic community, but also other universities and companies that will use the resources and opportunities of CK STOS. We are convinced that for many years the centre will be a technological distinguishing feature not only for our university, but also for Gdańsk and the entire Pomeranian region,” he adds.
Five water chillers
CK STOS PG will have the latest generation technical and network infrastructure. The server room is to meet the highest standards of data security – i.a. protect data from fire, water and electromagnetic fields. Also, the supercomputer will require special conditions, such as continuous cooling and maintaining constant temperature and humidity.
“The source of process cooling for the entire building will be five external chillers: four operating units and one backup unit, air-cooled with a cooling capacity of approx. 601.5 kW each,” explains Michał Sadowski, Project Director, NDI. “In order to reduce energy consumption, but at the same time increase efficiency, all chillers will feature the so-called “freecooling” mode.”
Video surveillance and water mist
It is planned that the CK STOS building will receive a reliability certificate issued by the Uptime Institute at Tier III. The building will be equipped with an intelligent control system. The centre is built in accordance with the assumptions of Green Computing – so as to minimise the impact of activities on the environment, and at the same time increase the energy efficiency of equipment and laboratories.
The facility has a fully integrated security system based on access control systems, video surveillance, as well as a burglary and robbery signalling system. All systems are integrated and managed by a special server.
The building is also equipped with fire safety systems, which include, among others fire alarm system (FAS). In the server part, the FAS is integrated with the HI FOG water mist extinguishing system, while in the underground part, a garage smoke extraction system has been installed.
The view corridor on the building of the Gdańsk University of Technology
Work in other areas of the building is also well advanced. All plasterboard walls were built, screeds were made, and most of the internal joinery was installed. Currently, i.a., the raised floors of the remaining storeys, tiling and painting works, and suspended ceilings, are being implemented.
The facility, designed by the Arch-Deco architectural studio, is set on one foundation, but at the same time divided by a view corridor directed towards the Main Building of the university.
The implementation of the investment of the Gdańsk University of Technology, due to the unique geometry of the building, but also due to the need to perform a number of installations, requires the contractor to plan and coordinate all works and deliveries with particular precision. NDI is responsible for the construction of the main facility with an area of approx. 12 thousand square meters and for the development of the area around it. The tasks also include the construction and equipment of rooms, as well as one of the server rooms. The investor, the Gdańsk University of Technology, is responsible for the purchase of the “supercomputer” and for the equipment of the remaining server rooms.
The cost of building the smart centre is nearly PLN 156 million, of which PLN 90.1 million comes from the EU subsidy under the European Regional Development Fund, obtained through involvement in the project of the Pomeranian Voivodeship Marshal’s Office and the Pomerania Development Agency. The total cost of the investment, however, will exceed PLN 200 million – the difference is due to the need to supplement the facility by the university with additional, specialised equipment.
