Edge Data Center (EDC) FAQs
Can EDCs be installed anywhere?
Yes. Basically, EDCs can be installed anywhere. A power connection and an operating license are required. For example, commercial areas and special use areas can often be used as a location. It is important that the requirements of the building law are complied with, and that the emissions, e.g. by the noise, do not disturb the neighbors.
The EDCs are therefore particularly suitable for being located in Renewable Energy (RE) plants. In biogas and wind power plants, there are hardly any restrictions on the installation.
How is the EDC installed?
The EDC is installed by ExaMesh in cooperation with the technical manager of the RE plant. The installation can be carried out over two working days, after the coordination, planning and organization work.
How long can an EDC be used?
The housing of the EDC and the infrastructure can be used for up to 20 years. However, the computer hardware must be replaced every five years to remain competitive.
How many possible locations for EDCs are there in Germany?
In Germany, we currently have around 50,000 locations where larger RE plants are operated, but many other locations are also suitable for operating an EDC.
How much electricity does an EDC use?
The EDC has a reference benefit of max. 7 kW. On average, it will need 5.5 kW. With an operating time of approx. 8,000 hours, this results in an energy consumption of 44,000 kWh per year.
Is the EDC only in operation when the RE plant is generating electricity?
No. It also runs on external electricity, which is provided by the energy supplier.
What does maintenance cost?
ExaMesh does not charge the RE plant operator any maintenance costs if the EDC computing power is marketed by ExaMesh.
What does the installation cost?
Installation within Germany costs 4,500 euros per EDC. If several EDCs are installed at one location, the installation cost decreases. In the event of particular difficulties, we calculate additional work after prior consultation with the RE plant operator.
What happens if an RE plant ceases operations?
If an RE plant ceases operations, we take the EDC back. We pay the operator back the current value of the EDC.
What happens when an EDC is no longer efficient?
If the hardware is no longer competitive, we will replace the hardware if the operator would like that. We make a new offer and business can continue.
What is computed in the EDC?
High Performance Computers (HPCs) are included with the EDC.
HPC performance is used in particular for applications of artificial intelligence (AI).
Where are the possible locations for EDCs?
RE plants are spread all over Germany. There are more wind power plants in the north and more solar parks in the south. There are biogas plants everywhere. Luckily, the locations are often in accessible locations and/or along highways and railway lines. Thus, the communication connection is usually good and many users of future edge applications can be reached.
Locations outside of Germany are also possible.
Who is doing EDC maintenance?
ExaMesh maintains the EDCs. Access to the RE plant has to be granted by the plant operator. All of our technicians are certified to work on electrical systems. We are happy to coordinate our work with the technical manager of the plant.
Who owns the EDC?
The RE plant operator becomes the EDC owner. The operator thus becomes, in personal identity, also operator of the EDC.
Who pays for the electricity?
The operator pays for the electricity.
Who sells the EDC computing power?
With the operator’s agreement, we sell the computing power for them. However, operators are free to use their own EDC computing power, to sell it themselve or to have it sold by a third party. ExaMesh offers to sell the entire EDC computing power.
Who uses the EDC computing power?
The market for Artificial Intelligence (AI) computing power doubles approximately every three and a half months. Particularly start-up companies rely on the use of external computing power because they are unable to invest a lot of money in their own hardware.