Daniel Hruska Last year, Apple completed the construction of a data center in Maiden, North Carolina, however, construction work continues around it. With the advent of iOS 5 and iCloud, the need to store user data increased rapidly, as everyone gets 5 GB of space for free with every iCloud account. There were over 2012 million of these accounts in April 125.
All the big players in IT are very well aware of the importance of cloud solutions in the near future, and even Apple could not be left behind. Photographer Garrett Fisher boarded the plane and took some pictures of the Maiden. In addition to the already finished colossus with a consumption of 20 megawatts, there are several other buildings in close proximity.
- A 4,8 megawatt biogas plant? Just guesses for now…
- Substation
- Home of iCloud - a 464-acre data center
- Tactical data center
- 40 hectare solar farm
Apple has always been loathe to rely on third-party vendors. The same apparently applies to electricity consumption. According to estimates, the solar panels should be able to generate up to 20 megawatts, which should be enough for the full operation of the data center, or at least a larger part of it. If the construction of a biogas power plant is confirmed, Apple will not need to draw almost any electricity in Maiden.
Conservationists, including the Greenpeace organization, will certainly be pleased. The company has lowered its evaluation of the data center solution from an F to a C, but after the complete completion of the work in Maiden, they will surely have to give a better grade. "Green" electricity will be an increasingly important source of energy for future generations, it's just that big companies need to get involved first and show the right direction.
Next to the main data center is another smaller one (see picture above). It occupies almost 20 ares and its eleven rooms are said to be used to connect the equipment of Apple partners. An interesting feature is the increased security. A three-meter fence surrounds the entire building, and visitors will have to go through a security check before being allowed inside.
