New Data Centre

A future-ready digital backbone for the Northern Territory’s leading university

Client: Charles Darwin University
Location: Darwin, NT / Larrakia Country

The challenge

Charles Darwin University required a resilient, high-performance data centre to support its entire portfolio of ICT services. As a critical digital asset for the University’s operations and research, the new facility had to deliver exceptional uptime, efficiency, and environmental control — all within a compact campus footprint and the demanding Northern Territory climate. This wasn’t just about building a data centre — it was about enabling secure, uninterrupted access to learning, teaching, and operational systems across the University’s expanding digital ecosystem.

Our Approach

Lucid was appointed as lead consultant to oversee the full data centre solution — bringing together a multidisciplinary team of engineering, architectural, structural, civil, and acoustic consultants. Our approach blended deep technical insight with an understanding of the University’s operational priorities. We focused on ensuring system resilience, environmental stability, and long-term scalability — drawing on Lucid’s experience delivering mission-critical infrastructure in some of Australia’s most demanding environments.

Solutions delivered

Lucid’s scope spanned the full lifecycle from concept through to commissioning:

Complete New Data Centre Facility – Purpose-built to meet current and future ICT demands
N+1 UPS Infrastructure – Ensuring continuous power through redundant systems
N+1 Dual Coil CRAC Air Conditioning – Featuring both chilled water integration and DX backup for ultimate resilience
Standby Generator System – Providing robust backup power to protect against outages
Power Conditioning & Surge Protection – Safeguarding sensitive equipment from voltage anomalies
Environmental Control Systems – Including positive pressurisation and humidity management
Fire Safety Engineering – Advanced aspirated smoke detection and gaseous suppression
Energy Monitoring & Environmental Integration – Delivering insights to improve efficiency and performance over time
Project Coordination – Engaged and integrated external disciplines to ensure a cohesive, future-ready outcome

Case Study - Charles Dawrwin University Data Centre

Outcomes

A resilient data centre facility designed to Tier-standard principles and environmental challenges of the NT
Seamless integration with CDU’s precinct cooling system for greater efficiency and lower operating costs
Ongoing operational reliability for mission-critical academic and administrative services
A scalable digital backbone to support future growth in teaching, research and data-intensive systems
Enhanced environmental control and energy insight, enabling smarter infrastructure decisions

Better World Impact

Reliable digital infrastructure underpins access to education, research, and innovation. By delivering a future-ready data centre for Charles Darwin University, Lucid has helped secure the systems that power regional education in Australia’s Top End. With smarter controls, resilient design and practical foresight, this project embodies how engineering can support education, sustainability, and long-term community outcomes — building a better world, one system at a time.

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