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: 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: 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