IIJ to Construct a New System Module Building in the Matsue Data Center Park

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TOKYO - November 17, 2022 - Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (TSE Prime: 3774), one of Japan's leading Internet access and comprehensive network solutions providers, today announced plans to construct a new system module building in its Matsue Data Center Park (Matsue DCP), in operation since April 2011 in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Construction is scheduled to start in February 2024, with the start of operation set to begin in May 2025.

When the new system module building is completed, it will have floor space of approximately 2,000 square meters and server capacity of 300 racks. Besides being used to house equipment for IIJ cloud services, for which demand is expanding as domestic companies promote digital transformation (DX), another objective will be to help make rural network infrastructure more resilient, as a data center realizing the aim of building digital infrastructure throughout Japan, called for in the government's Vision for a Digital Garden City Nation.
Note that this project is being carried out with the help of a grant under the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications "Project on Strengthening Digital Infrastructure by Decentralizing Data Centers, Submarine Cables, and Other Facilities," funded in the 2021 supplementary budget.

Background

In April 2011, IIJ built the Matsue DCP as Japan's first commercial-use modular data center adopting an outdoor air cooling system. The Matsue DCP has won recognition as a data center achieving, at low cost, high server room efficiency and ease of scale-out. It does so by deploying "IZmo" container-type IT modules, developed by IIJ based on long experience and expertise in data center operation. Then in May 2019, drawing on the energy efficiency technology and operation experience gained at Matsue DCP, the Company built and put into operation the Shiroi Data Center Campus (Shiroi DCC) in Shiroi, Chiba Prefecture, adopting a system module-based construction method to maximize operation efficiency and reduce operation costs.

The Matsue DCP and Shiroi DCC are being used as facility infrastructure for the Company's cloud and network services, and as colocation sites housing the IT equipment of customers. In addition, demand for IIJ's own cloud services continues to grow, and use of colocation service for BCP (business continuity planning) purposes is also expanding. At the same time, as decentralizing of data centers is being promoted based on the government’s Vision for a Digital Garden City Nation noted above, the needs for regional data centers are rising, fueled by active efforts toward digital technology implementation in such areas as digital transformation (DX) by regional small- and medium-sized nterprises and tourism DX.
In this situation, the approximately 500 racks at the Matsue DCP are expected to become full during fiscal year 2025. It was therefore decided to construct a new system module building with higher server room efficiency than container-type or unit-type modules.

Main Features of the System Module Building

Maintaining the current Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE)(*) of 1.2.

As cooling equipment, an outdoor air cooling system for low electricity consumption and wall-mounted blowers for efficient cool air circulation are adopted. As electric power equipment, three-phase, four-wire UPS (uninterruptible power supplies) are adopted to reduce electrical loss. This will enable the existing PUE of 1.2, the highest level in the industry, to be maintained, raising the service value while helping to meet the Company’s social responsibility.

• (*)PUE: An indicator of electrical power use efficiency in data centers.

Promoting automation of operations

The Shiroi DCC applies robot technologies to promote automation of data center operations. Drawing on this success, the Matsue DCP is also testing introduction of robot technology for patrolling data center equipment. In addition to automation of data center operations, automation and labor saving will be carried out for the physical access control procedures that are a burden on data center users.

Promoting initiatives for carbon neutrality

In February 2022, the Matsue DCP introduced green electricity, electric power essentially derived from renewable energy sources, aiming to become a model case for data center carbon neutrality. The initiatives toward becoming a carbon neutral data center will be further strengthened, such as by installing an on-site mega solar power facility and procuring electricity from offsite power generation facilities. In the future, making use of the electric power generation and storage facilities on the premises, a microgrid will be built to realize local energy generation for local consumption with municipalities and corporations in the region, with the aim of strengthening resilience in the area and helping society solve carbon neutrality and other challenges.

Overview of the System Module Building Facilities

• Floor area: Approx. 2,000m²
• Capacity: 300 racks
• Cooling method: Direct outdoor air cooling system
• Electrical equipment: Three-phase, four-wire UPS

IIJ will continue to offer stable infrastructure platforms in Japan and overseas by providing high-quality data center facilities and various added-value networking services.

The statements within this release contain forward-looking statements about our future plans that involve risk and uncertainty. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results.

For inquiries, contact

IIJ Corporate Communications

• +81-3-5205-6310
• +81-3-5205-6377
• press@iij.ad.jp

• (*) All company names and service names used in this press release are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.