Google Plans to Invest $390M in Belgium Data Center

To meet growing demand for its online service, Internet search giant Google (News - Alert) announced it plans to invest $390 million to expand its continental European data center in Belgium.

Google, which runs three European-based data centers, said it would upgrade the facility in Belgium to meet growing demand for its online services. All three facilities have received ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certifications, which are internationally accepted environmental standards.

The plans were revealed this week during a visit from Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo to the plant, which became functional in September 2010 after an initial $330 investment.

The St. Ghislain facility, which became fully operational in September 2010, serves Google users across Europe and around the world. It was the first Google data center worldwide to run entirely without refrigeration, using instead an advanced evaporative cooling system that draws grey water from a nearby industrial canal.

“This helps keep our computers running at their highest efficiency and reduces overall energy use,” according to Google’s Data Centers website.

In Belgium, Google uses an evaporative cooling system that’s well matched to the region’s temperate climate, Joe Kava, vice president of data centers at Google, explained in a blog post.

“After cooling the servers, water runs through large cooling towers, where much of it is released as water vapor,” Kava said. “This process is very energy efficient, but keeping the cooling towers clean and clear of outdoor dust is a time-consuming process.”

More than 120 people work at the Belgium site – from computer technicians and electrical and mechanical engineers to catering and security staff, Google said.