Hanson Wade Group have taken the decision to cancel this meeting. Please do accept our apologies for any inconvenience or disappointment this will cause. Please register your interest here if you would like updates on the meeting or topics.
7:30 am Registration & Networking
8:30 am Chair’s Opening Remarks
Shortage on Two Significant Fronts: Talent & Equipment
8:40 am Attracting, Upskilling & Retaining Talent to Meet the Demand for Complex Data Centre Projects in the UK & Ireland
Synopsis
• Addressing the challenges of an aging workforce and the shortage of new workers in the UK and Ireland
• Developing robust career development strategies to attract new workers and improve the retention rate
• Building partnerships with local education and civil institutions to integrate the skills required for constructing highly technical facilities into the curricula
9:20 am Panel Discussion: Implementing Innovative Procurement Methods to Mitigate Long Lead Times & Supply Chain Issues
Synopsis
• Identifying bottlenecks for long-lead equipment early in the project lifecycle to streamline procurement and reduce delays in the overall program process
• Promoting innovative strategies such as load-balancing across the sector to monitor demand for critical equipment, reducing the competitive strain on suppliers and improving delivery timelines
• Establishing collaborative relationships with suppliers to enhance production planning and promote transparency in order management
Power Reduction Strategies
10:00 am Navigating Contractual and Commercial Strategies for Energy Solutions in Data Centres to Avoid Over Reliance on the National Grid
Synopsis
• Assessing Innovative Energy Generation and Storage Contracts: Evaluating the commercial viability and contractual implications of adopting self-generative energy solutions to reduce reliance on traditional energy grids
• Integrating On-Site Battery Storage: Analyzing the complexities and commercial considerations of incorporating on-site battery storage to ensure continuous power supply during peak demands.
• Exploring Hybrid Energy Systems: Investigating the feasibility and contractual frameworks for hybrid energy systems that combine various generation methods to enhance resilience and efficiency in data centre operations
10:40 am Morning Refreshments
11:20 am Audience Discussion: Working with the National Grid to Ensure a Reliable Power Supply & Minimise Downtime
Synopsis
• Conducting thorough due diligence to assess the capacity of regional electricity providers vs project requirements
• Understanding the variabilities in national grid structures across regions within the UK & Ireland
• Incorporating smart grid technology to dynamically manage energy consumption in response to real-time grid capacity changes
Streamlining Construction Delivery
12:00 pm Embracing Modularisation to Enhance Quality, Safety & Speed of Project Delivery
Synopsis
• Assessing the realities of the benefits and limitations of modularization
• Examining the modularisation process from design to execution, highlighting the importance of pre-fabrication in ensuring quality control and reducing construction time
• Discussing the necessary adaptions in logistics and transportation methods to accommodate the unique dimensions and weight of modular components, ensuring timely delivery and minimal disruption
12:40 pm Networking Lunch
Stakeholder Collaboration
1:40 pm Panel Discussion: Exploring How Contractors, Designers & Clients Can Collaborate Earlier to Equip You with Cost & Schedule Certainty
Synopsis
• Establishing regular communication channels throughout the project lifecycle to address concerns and adjustments,
enhancing overall project adaptability and reliability
• Identifying alternative solutions during the design phase, enabling contractors to proactively address potential constructability challenges before they arise
• Adopting a dynamic project timeline that accounts for the IT market’s six-month refresh cycle
2:20 pm Leveraging Local Construction Expertise to Ensure Project Compliance
Synopsis
• Partnering with local construction professionals early in the design phase
• Engaging with local construction experts to optimise project timelines through their deep understanding of regional labour markets and workforce availability
• Utilising established relationships with local supply chains to help ensure timely delivery of materials
3:00 pm Afternoon Refreshments
3:30 pm Highlighting the Importance of a Shared Risk Model to Improve Coordination
Synopsis
• Promoting alternative contract models that shift away from traditional lump-sum agreements, allowing for better risk-sharing: how can you truly get buy in from your client?
• Harnessing increased collaboration between clients and contractors to enhance transparency and project controls
• Identifying the key barriers to adopting risk-sharing contract models: what prevents contractor and clients from fully embracing shared risk frameworks?
4:10 pm Improving the Tracking of Project Progress to Improve Stakeholder Accountability & Reduce Unexpected Costs
Synopsis
• Implementing advanced technologies for real-time tracking of site progress to provide stakeholders with accurate insights into project status and enable proactive decisionmaking
• Promoting the use of business intelligence (BI) tools to automate progress tracking and reporting
• Establishing clear performance metrics that align project goals with actual production rates, fostering accountability and better resource management