3 Questions for Linda Lescuyer, Innovation Leader (Data4)

Appointed on May 7th, 2023, as the Innovation Leader of Data4, Linda Lescuyer brings over 25 years of experience in consulting and operational management of energy efficiency and sustainable innovation in both industry and the digital sector.

What is your background?

I hold a Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences and a Master’s degree in Management of Organizations from IAE France, as well as a Master’s degree in Chemical and Physical Oceanography from Aix-Marseille University. I am also certified as Territory Transition Advisor by ADEME.

I began my career in 1996 at MGE-UPS Systems before taking on the role of General Manager at the eco-design firm CODDE in 2008, and later at the energy management consulting firm H3C (E’nergys).

From 2018 to 2022, I held the position of Energy and Carbon Strategy Director at Interxion France, now Digital Realty France. I was responsible for the company’s sustainable development roadmap, where I developed an innovative program for energy efficiency and carbon offsetting. This included the construction of the River cooling technology solution, providing 22 MW of renewable cooling power, and a 100% French Low Carbon Label program in collaboration with the Calanques National Park, EcoAct, and Schneider Electric.

What is your roadmap as Innovation Leader?

As the leader of Data4’s innovation policy, I leverage my expertise to structure the design and implementation of sustainable technology projects within the group’s data center campuses. I also conduct forward-looking work to identify trends and technological advances that best align with Data4’s goals: to operate with the lowest possible environmental impact while remaining resilient and at the forefront of technology.

Since January 2024, I have a particular focus on the construction business, with a view to building eco-friendly data centers. In addition, I am a member of the board of the “Net Zero Innovation Hub.” This initiative, a collaboration between Data4, Danfoss, Google, Microsoft, and Schneider Electric, aims to accelerate the implementation of shared solutions for the ecological transition of data centers.

Can you describe one of your initiatives?

I am pleased to have launched, in collaboration with the University of Paris-Saclay Foundation, the project to create the first “bio-circular” data center, which will soon be established at our historic site in Marcoussis, in the Paris Region (Essonne). Supported by the Essonne Departmental Council, this project aims to reuse the heat produced by data centers for applications such as algae cultivation, which is then transformed into biomass for various industries. This partnership, which brings together experts from diverse fields, seeks to reduce the carbon footprint and promote a circular economy by using advanced technologies for CO2 capture and energy production. The collaboration with the University of Paris-Saclay, renowned for its academic excellence, is crucial for the success of this innovative project, which could be extended to other regions.