EkkoSense, an AI-driven data centre optimisation firm, has collaborated with Virgin Media O2 to deliver annual energy savings exceeding £1 million in data centre cooling. Through real-time insights into thermal, power, and capacity performance across 20 UK data centres, EkkoSense helped Virgin Media O2 reduce cooling energy consumption by 15%. This translates to cutting 760 tonnes of CO2 emissions, aligning with Virgin Media O2’s sustainability goal of achieving net-zero emissions across all scopes by 2040 as part of its Better Connections Plan.
Adrian Lazenby, Head of Technical Site Engineering and Delivery at Virgin Media O2, said:
“Virgin Media O2 is committed to reducing its impact on the planet by cutting carbon emissions and rolling out energy saving measures across the business.
“In partnership with EkkoSense, we’ve optimised our data centres so they operate efficiently, using real-time data so we can make airflow and cooling improvements, resulting in significant cooling energy savings.”
The EkkoSense solution brings together an exclusive mix of technology and capabilities. Low-cost Internet of Things (IoT) sensors provide the innovative SaaS platform with valuable data and, using machine learning, provides AI analytics, gaming-class 3D visualisation and Digital Twin capabilities. The technology is backed by embedded advisory support including EkkoSense’s PhD-level thermal and engineering experts and deep rooted sector expertise.
“With our software collecting thousands of data points every five minutes – adding to the millions of data points already collected, we’re able to continually refine the effectiveness of our machine learning algorithms for Virgin Media O2,” added Dean Boyle, EkkoSense’s CEO. “Having access to this level of real-time insight means that Virgin Media O2’s operations team are able to track how their data centres are performing from a cooling, power and capacity perspective. They are also able to identify further energy optimisation opportunities in terms of cooling energy usage and overall savings.”
