With windCORES, WestfalenWIND IT GmbH & Co. KG has developed a globally unique data center concept: climate-neutral data centers that are integrated directly into the base of wind turbine towers and are predominantly operated with self-generated wind power. The project combines sustainable energy generation with high-availability IT infrastructure and has received several awards for its innovative approach – most recently the German Sustainability Award 2026.
The challenge
The windCORES data centers operate under special conditions. The space available at the base of a wind turbine tower is limited, while at the same time customers have high power densities and very high availability requirements. Added to this are changing environmental influences. Due to their location, the sites cannot be permanently maintained on site. Compact, automated and extremely reliable safety and monitoring concepts are required to meet these conditions. In particular, seamless monitoring, reliable early fire detection, centrally controlled access control and precise, customer-specific measurement of power consumption are essential. As the data centers are mainly operated remotely, all systems must be centrally available and evaluable at all times.
Solution
To implement these requirements, WestfalenWIND IT decided to use KentixONE as a central software platform for the physical security and monitoring of windCORES. The aim was to bundle all security and operationally relevant functions in one solution, thereby significantly reducing complexity, interfaces and operational costs.
KentixONE enables the central recording, evaluation and visualization of all relevant data – from environmental and operating data to access control and the precise recording of energy consumption. KentixONE thus forms the basis for the secure, efficient and transparent operation of data centers.
Implementation
Over 40 devices were installed in the windCORES data centers as part of the project. Among other things, multi-sensors were used to monitor temperature, humidity, early fire detection and door contacts, as well as weather and SNMP sensors to record other environmental and system conditions.
SmartPDUs enable precise measurement of power consumption, while electronic door locks ensure secure and flexible access control for operators and colocation customers. Network cameras have also been integrated to visually safeguard the security concept. All components are fully integrated into KentixONE and enable continuous, location-independent monitoring of the data centers.
Results
Where previously several technical solutions from different providers were required, all safety and operationally relevant information is now centralized in KentixONE. The standardized software platform acts as acentral view and control level and provides all data in real time at a glance.
The precise and customer-specific recording of electricity consumption is particularly appreciated. The consumption data is automatically provided from KentixONE via an interface and flows directly into WestfalenWIND IT’s billing software. This enables transparent monthly energy cost billing for colocation customers without the need for manual intermediate steps.
In addition, central monitoring and alarms enable a response in a matter of seconds. This significantly increases operational security and ensures that potential faults or risks are detected at an early stage. At the same time, colocation customers can be granted secure access to their systems around the clock.
Future outlook
The windCORES concept is consistently designed for scalability and further development. KentixONE offers the option of seamlessly integrating new locations, additional sensors or further functions at any time. WestfalenWIND IT has thus created the technical basis for continuously expanding the innovative data center model and reliably meeting future requirements for security, efficiency and sustainability.
Daniel Peitz from WestfalenWIND IT emphasizes: “Our data centers use energy where it is generated. KentixONE gives us the security and transparency to operate this sustainable concept efficiently and reliably. This allows us to effectively combine innovation, operational reliability and climate protection.”
Conclusion
With windCORES, WestfalenWIND IT demonstrates how sustainable energy generation and high-availability IT infrastructure can be successfully combined. The integrated monitoring and security solution enables secure, efficient and transparent operation under exceptional conditions. The project is therefore a pioneering example of sustainable data centers.
About WestfalenWIND IT GmbH & Co. KG
WestfalenWIND IT GmbH & Co. KG develops and operates innovative IT and data center solutions with a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. As part of the WestfalenWIND Group, the company combines decades of experience in the field of renewable energies with modern IT infrastructure and new utilization concepts.