Edged opens high-tech, eco-friendly data centre in Aurora

A new data centre operated by Edged has opened in Aurora, Illinois, featuring advanced technology focused on sustainability and efficiency.

Sitting at 2835 Bilter Road, the newly launched Edged Chicago campus is set to become a significant fixture in the local digital landscape. Strategically nestled in the second-largest city in Illinois, the 96 MW high-tech campus begins its journey with the inauguration of its first of three planned data centres designed specifically for high-density AI workloads. The site integrates advanced waterless cooling systems and ultra-efficient energy models aiming for optimal resource use.

This latest addition is part of Edged's expanding portfolio. The company aims to conserve nearly 380 million gallons of water annually at full completion and deliver energy solutions with notably lower consumption levels than conventional data centres.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the debut of the facility, attended by Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin alongside local officials, representatives from ComEd, and several key project partners. Mayor Irvin expressed enthusiasm for the positive implications the centre holds for the area and remarked, "The grand opening of Edged marks a significant milestone for Aurora and the greater Chicagoland area. This state-of-the-art high-tech campus not only strengthens our city's position as a hub for innovation and technology but also brings tremendous economic and employment opportunities to our community. Edged's commitment to energy and water efficiency, along with its cutting-edge infrastructure, aligns perfectly with Aurora's vision for sustainable growth and development. We are proud to welcome Edged to Aurora and look forward to the lasting impact it will have on our city and beyond."

Central to the site's sustainable design is the ThermalWorks waterless cooling system, expected to save a substantial volume of water each year. This system supports densities reaching up to 70 kW per rack when using air cooling and extends to 200 kW per rack with dedicated liquid cooling setups. The implementation demonstrates an industry-leading energy efficiency with an average Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.15 within the company's global portfolio.

Bryant Farland, Chief Executive Officer for Edged, commented, "We are grateful to the City of Aurora for their invaluable partnership and shared vision for a more sustainable future. This state-of-the-art campus exemplifies our mission to drive innovation, operational excellence and environmental stewardship with every Edged data center. Together, we have transformed an underutilized site into a next-generation IT hub that delivers high-performance computing alongside responsible resource management. We are proud to contribute to the area's economic growth while setting new standards for environmentally responsible infrastructure."

Chicago's strategic location, equipped with extensive long-haul networks and a significant talent pool, supports its appeal to major enterprises, cloud companies, and hyperscalers.

Melissa Washington, Senior Vice President of Customer Operations and Strategic Initiatives at ComEd, stated, "ComEd is committed to powering impactful economic development projects that create local jobs and drive investment within northern Illinois. The new Edged facility in Aurora is advancing sustainable data center operations to best serve a data-driven future. We look forward to delivering the infrastructure necessary to support Edged operations in Illinois."

The Edged Chicago facility joins other developments by the company across various U.S. markets including Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, Columbus, and Phoenix. Edged operates under the umbrella of Endeavour and continues to expand its global presence with additional data centres under construction in Europe and North America.