Originally posted on Data Center POST
A consortium of companies including Deutsche Telekom Business Solutions GmbH, DE-CIX Management GmbH, Detecon International GmbH, WIK-Consult GmbH, and the Institute of Economic Structure Research (GWS) mbH was commissioned by The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia Germany for a study titled: “Feasibility Study Data Infrastructures in Rhineland’s Former Coal Mining Area”. The purpose was to explore whether the mining district could serve as a potential hotspot for digital innovation, primarily for hyperscale data centers, connectivity, cloud, and internet exchanges as well as the exploration of an integrated data hub and connected digital park.
Geostrategically, the Rhenish district study revealed that the area serves up to 60 million users in a radius of 250 kilometers. Historically once a busy economic sector and former lignite coal mining location to generate electricity, the district is undergoing massive transformation initiatives focused on incorporating climate protection and sustainability. To embrace this new world order, the developing Rhenish district focuses on future technology solutions and more sustainable business models, which leads to an increase in employment, with the goal of having a positive impact on the economic future of the area.
To read the full article please click here.
