Upgrading a live data center is no walk in the park, especially when it needs to run 24/7 without compromise. Yet that’s exactly what LCL is doing in LCL Brussels-West and will start in LCL Brussels-North in 2026. “We could have taken a minimal approach, but we chose to go all the way,” says Floris Smits, Chief Project Officer. Together with Project Manager Adeline Wantiez, he is overseeing the overhaul of the cooling systems. The objective? Better energy performance, lower emissions, and future-proof infrastructure. With zero impact on operational uptime. Adeline: “With every change we make, we anchor sustainability in our technical design.”
Floris Smits: “We’re replacing the legacy cooling systems to gradually increase the cold corridor temperature. This allows us to increase the use of free cooling, meaning we use outdoor air to cool our chilled water systems, which in turn cool the data rooms. This significantly reduces the use of energy-intensive compressors. It's a key part of our energy transition and aligns with our SBTi target of a 42% CO₂ reduction by 2030. Raising the temperature improves our PUE, and combined with the use of low-GWP refrigerants, it reduces our overall carbon footprint – especially important even when we use green energy.
Cooling accounts for a significant portion of a data center’s energy consumption. That’s why we’ve been investing heavily in optimising our cooling infrastructure. End 2024, we launched our first major cooling upgrade project in LCL Brussels-West, which is now in full development. The goal is to have it fully operational by begin 2026. The project represents a big step forward in efficiency.
Instead of adding more cooling units as demand increases, we are integrating a centralised cooling system that allows for better temperature control and more stable conditions This new design also reduces the total length of piping, decreasing system complexity and the risk of leaks. Higher stability means higher efficiency, lower energy consumption, and less environmental impact.”
Adeline Wantiez: “We are doing the roll-out in a live data center, so we can't simply rip out the old system and replace it. We’re working around existing setups that weren’t designed for this level of integration. Risk elimination and uninterrupted service are evidently our top priorities, so every step requires careful planning and communication with our customers. At LCL Brussels-West alone, we replace sixteen stand-alone units with an integrated system. We drew up a detailed migration plan and review progress after every single step.”
Floris Smits: “Our new systems work less intensively thanks to the increased temperatures. This improves energy efficiency and thus our PUE, which also has a positive effect on our CO₂ emissions – although that impact is more limited since we use green electricity. It’s a win-win for LCL and our customers.”
Adeline Wantiez: “We're not necessarily using less refrigerant overall, but we do have fewer metres of piping that are prone to leaks, thanks to a more compact and efficient design. That limits the risk of emissions in case of failure. And most importantly, we’re switching to low-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants. Older cooling systems often rely on refrigerants like freon with a high environmental impact. By moving to sustainable alternatives, we significantly reduce the carbon footprint of our infrastructure.”
Floris Smits: “We also consciously avoid technologies that require large amounts of water. Our closed-loop systems are designed to minimise water usage — and we want to keep it that way. City water is too valuable to waste. It’s a balance between optimising energy efficiency and ensuring minimal resource use.”
Adeline: “Exactly. You can generate electricity from wind or solar, but water is a finite resource.”
Floris Smits: “Collaboration is essential. We see this migration as an opportunity to align better with our customers, technically and strategically. That’s why we keep communication lines open throughout the process. We’re invited to monthly customer review meetings by our Operations team. There, we present our plans and potential challenges. During the works, customers are especially focused on the process. They want to understand what’s happening and how it may affect their own setup. That engagement helps build trust and often improves the outcome.”
Adeline Wantiez: “Communication is crucial. We’re very open with our customers about what we’re doing and why. They know data centers above 500 kW need to reduce their PUE below 1.3, and that means moving towards higher temperature ranges. If you explain it clearly, they understand. Moreover, this is more than just an infrastructure upgrade. We’re helping them reduce their own footprint, which strengthens their ESG reports and gives them a real advantage in stakeholder communication and audits. We’re also actively helping customers improve their own energy performance. Simple actions – like correctly placing IT equipment or sealing cable gaps – can have a measurable effect. We give personalised advice and share tips in our newsletters.”
Adeline Wantiez: “We’ve completely renewed our fire detection and suppression systems in LCL Brussels-West and LCL Brussels-North. We’re now using nitrogen-based extinguishing systems with a GWP of zero. They’re not just faster to deploy and safer for hardware, they’re also far better for the environment.”
Floris Smits: “It’s our most ambitious energy project yet. The three wind turbines became operational in early 2025. It was new territory for us, completely different from building data centers. Permitting alone was a learning curve. But it’s a big step in securing green energy for our operations.”
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