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BLACK VAULT™

Quedlinburg

EXISTING ENERGY ASSET · AI CONVERSION · KLOPSTOCKWEG 10A, QUEDLINBURG

1 MW existing site connection, 2 MVA on site, 2.33 MWh stored. The energy is already here.

Book a site visit

What runs, what is being designed, what is open.

Twelve lines, three states, one date. Nothing here is summed.

  • complete

    Building

    In use

  • complete

    Grid connection

    1 MW, metered

  • complete

    Transformer

    2 MVA on site

  • complete

    Storage

    2.33 MWh installed

  • complete

    Photovoltaics

    450 kW on the façade

  • complete

    Antenna hosting

    Two carriers, under contract

  • in progress

    Low-voltage distribution

    Going in

  • in progress

    AI feed

    1.5 MW, design basis

  • in progress

    Cooling

    In-row air, design basis

  • planned

    Fibre

    Contractual status under verification

  • planned

    Permitting

    Not started

  • planned

    Customer

    Open

Stand: 08/2026

Four layers, four separate statuses.

  • completeExisting assetBuilding, grid, storage, PV – existing
  • completeEnergy systemGeneration, storage, antenna hosting
  • in progressBlackKub · AI compute1–3 MW class, in development
  • plannedAI FactoryExperience centre, training, community

Stand: 08/2026

Existing asset4,431 m²1
Storeys72
Height28.40 m3
Clear height, ground floor4.41 m4
Clear height, upper floors2.60–2.67 m5
Floor loading600 kg/m²6
Rack envelope, standard positions1847
Existing site connection1 MW8
Dedicated AI connection, engineering basis1.5 MW9
Expansion case, envisaged3 MW10
Transformer2 MVA11
Battery storage2.33 MWh12
Storage power1.05 MW13
Photovoltaics450 kWp14
Antenna hostingVodafone · Telefónica15
Lift1,000 kp ≈ 1 t · 12 persons16
Parcel9,497 m²17
AddressKlopstockweg 10a · Quedlinburg18
Revitalisation complete09/202619
The Cube from the street corner: the whole photovoltaic-clad building, site hoarding along its foot, a car parked in front of it
AS IT STANDS · 06/2026 · the whole building, from the corner

MDR Sachsen-Anhalt · 21 August 2026

MDR reports on Quedlinburg’s transformation into an AI infrastructure hub.

A physical proof point for the Black Vault infrastructure model.

From industrial landmark to sovereign AI infrastructure.

Public broadcaster MDR reports on the transformation of Quedlinburg’s former Mertik tower into a new energy and computing asset.

The seven-storey tower clad in photovoltaic modules
The press briefing in front of the building, officials and the developer before the Black Vault banner

450 kWp

Solar façade

2.33 MWh

Battery storage

AI compute

Data centre

Planned

Once home to one of the city’s largest employers, the seven-storey building is being re-engineered around a new infrastructure stack: a photovoltaic façade, battery storage, and a planned data centre for decentralised AI infrastructure. The town’s municipal utility gave its agreement at the same briefing.

Quedlinburg demonstrates the principle the whole model rests on. Energy and compute are not separate assets. They belong to the same physical architecture.

We are clearing an eyesore – and here we have a project of the future.

Frank Ruch, Mayor of Quedlinburg, at the press briefingFrank RuchMayor of Quedlinburg

„Ich bin sehr zufrieden, weil wir einen Schandfleck bereinigen und weil wir hier ein Projekt der Zukunft haben.“

Read the MDR reportDiscover the infrastructure model

MDR Sachsen-Anhalt, 21 August 2026 – the broadcast report on the building.

Broadcast excerpt © MDR Sachsen-Anhalt. English narration added for translation; the original report is on the MDR site.

Watch the full report in the ARD Mediathek

Two companies, two roles.

I-Kubus is part of the Black Vault brand in Quedlinburg and is operated by I-Kubus GmbH. Black Vault is developing the proposed AI and compute layer around that existing infrastructure.

Lars Gottschligg and Denys Tsvaig in BLACK VAULT GERMANY hard hats and 12 Elements vests on the roof of the Cube, the photovoltaic field running to the parapet behind them
AS IT STANDS · Lars Gottschligg, I-Kubus GmbH, and Denys Tsvaig on the roof of the Cube
  • complete

    I-Kubus GmbH

    Black Vault's Quedlinburg energy node: the existing building and energy infrastructure

  • in progress

    Black Vault

    The proposed AI and compute layer, and the commercial route to it

Whose building this is.

The tower was bought and converted long before anyone here was talking about compute. That is worth saying first, on his page.

Portrait of Lars Gottschligg, managing director of I-Kubus GmbH
Lars Gottschligg

Lars Gottschligg

Black Vault's main partner in Germany

Managing Director, I-Kubus GmbH

Bought the tower more than ten years ago and turned it into the I-Kubus: grid connection, storage, photovoltaic façade. Everything running in the building today runs because of that decision.

From Lost Place into Future Place. Recognising the resources, and using what the energy transition makes possible, innovatively and sensibly. For an economic and environmentally sound future for new energy sites: my commitment, and everything I have.
AS IT STANDS · 06/2026 · Anna Bon on the roof of the Cube · sound on

From the founder

Anna, on the roof.

Director, 12 Elements Ltd

  • Oxford programme, AI Governance & Public Policy
  • World Economic Forum, Davos · 2023

At the Quedlinburg site.

Five things that exist. Photographed.

One picture, one figure from the register.

  1. The compact substation outdoors with its doors open: Eaton switchgear, moulded-case breakers, copper busbars and the incoming cables terminated below
    AS IT STANDS · 08/2026 · the compact substation, doors open

    1 MW

    8

    The building's grid connection is metered and live.

  2. Inside the distribution cabinet: copper busbars marked L1, L2, L3, the three incoming cables terminated on lugs, numbered fuse switch-disconnectors alongside
    AS IT STANDS · 08/2026 · busbars and the incoming feed, L1 L2 L3

    2 MVA

    11

    The transformer and the low-voltage distribution it feeds.

  3. Photovoltaic modules seen from inside the façade cavity, aluminium substructure between them and the red and black DC harness running down the wall
    AS IT STANDS · the façade from inside, DC cabling on the substructure

    450 kWp

    14

    Generation on the building's skin, not on a field beside it.

  4. Antenna panels on a mast at the roof edge against a clear sky, the access ladder and railing beside them
    AS IT STANDS · the carriers' antennas at the roof edge

    Vodafone · Telefónica

    15

    Two carriers host equipment here, under running contracts.

  5. An empty floor running the length of the building: bare concrete, ribbon windows down one side, services on the soffitAS IT STANDSCONCEPT
    AS IT STANDS · a floor as it stands, end to end

    4,431 m²

    1

    Seven structurally sound, empty floors make this a fit-out, not a build.

Conversion of the existing structures.

A prefabricated DDR office tower that stood empty for thirty years, converted twice: first into an energy building, now into an energy and compute node.

The bare concrete tower in scaffolding, before the photovoltaic façadeBeforeToday

AS IT STANDS · the primary structural frame was retained and repurposed.

Work platform at the photovoltaic façade
AS IT STANDS · PV façade, installation
Antenna masts and roof photovoltaics
AS IT STANDS · antennas and roof PV

≈ 1983

VEB Mertik

VGB system, catalogue B 8619 PKI: precast columns, beams, and hollow-core planks – catalogued parts that make the 40-year-old structure load-checkable.

1990s

Empty

Vacant from the early nineties. Structure intact, façade intact, nothing removed.

2023

E-Kubus

The E-Kubus concept: façade PV, ground-floor battery storage and charging at grade. Structurally verified January 2023.

2025–2026

Energy conversion

Energy conversion and revitalisation. I-Kubus is carved out of SSC hydrovent AG and acquired by I-Kubus GmbH on 17.04.2025.

now

Platform node

Grid, storage, PV and antenna hosting are running. Compute is planned for the floors above.

The existing energy asset.

The list below is the energy infrastructure existing in the building, operated by I-Kubus. The picture beside it is the same building as it stands and as it is intended to look.

The Cube this summer: the photovoltaic façade complete, the ground floor still a shell behind site fencingAS IT STANDSCONCEPT

AS IT STANDS 06/2026 ↔ CONCEPT · the same corner

completePV generation450 kW · façade and roof, with data streaming
completeStorage2.33 MWh · 10 cabinets × 233 kWh
completeAntenna hostingVodafone · Telefónica, on the roof
in progressSpot tradingSpecification pending
in progressEV chargingStatus pending
plannedVirtual power plantSpecification pending
A storage cabinet standing open against a brick wall: five battery modules racked one above the other, their power and signal cabling gathered down the door frame
AS IT STANDS · 06/2026 · a storage cabinet, open · resolution enhanced
Two low-voltage distribution cabinets standing open in a bare room, busbars and fuse switch-disconnectors fitted, cables run in, tools and a work light on the floor
AS IT STANDS · 08/2026 · the low-voltage main distribution going in
A row of white power-conversion cabinets standing on steel plinths in a bare floor, ventilation louvres and status lamps on each door
AS IT STANDS · 06/2026 · the conversion cabinets, set and standing
Six inverters on an interior wall with the DC harness below
AS IT STANDS · six inverters, DC harness gathered below

The battery floor carries the machine floors.

Batteries below, the machine above. Here scrolling is climbing: the section holds still and the floor changes.

Ground floorEnergy Storage · Visits · MobilityDesign · pending review
STAIRWELL · ELEVATOR ARRIVAL Main LV A · Grid Intake≈ 23 m² Exhibition≈ 74 m² Access≈ 23 m² Dock≈ 14 m² Reception≈ 32 m² Main LV B · Grid Intake≈ 23 m² Train Bay≈ 70 m² BESS · BlackKub≈ 69 m² BESS · Existing≈ 35 m² Reserve≈ 35 m² Corridor EXTERIOR ELEVATOR location to be confirmed 722 721 717 722 723 720 4403 480 241 479 1299 G F E D C B A 1 2 3 4 N 0 20 m
CONCEPT · Battery RoomCONCEPT
CONCEPT · Fire-Suppression SystemCONCEPT
1st floorData Centre · Exhibition CorridorDesign · pending review
STAIRWELL · ELEVATOR ARRIVAL Main LV · Distribution≈ 35 m² MMR · Network≈ 62 m² Whitespace North≈ 92 m² UPS · Battery≈ 35 m² Whitespace South≈ 173 m² Corridor EXTERIOR ELEVATOR location to be confirmed 722 721 717 722 723 720 4403 480 241 479 1299 G F E D C B A 1 2 3 4 N 0 20 m
CONCEPT · Server Room · the cold aisleCONCEPT
CONCEPT · Corridor – the central spine, arrival at the elevatorCONCEPT
2nd floorData Centre · WhitespaceDesign · pending review
STAIRWELL · ELEVATOR ARRIVAL Main LV, level 2≈ 35 m² Plant · Store≈ 62 m² Whitespace North≈ 92 m² Reserve · Carrier 2≈ 35 m² Whitespace South≈ 173 m² Corridor EXTERIOR ELEVATOR location to be confirmed 722 721 717 722 723 720 4403 480 241 479 1299 G F E D C B A 1 2 3 4 N 0 20 m
CONCEPT · Server Room · the cold aisleCONCEPT
CONCEPT · Technical Center (main LV distribution)CONCEPT
3rd floorUPS · uninterruptible supplyDesign · pending review
STAIRWELL · ELEVATOR ARRIVAL Main LV, level 3≈ 35 m² USV · N+1≈ 62 m² Free≈ 92 m² Free≈ 97 m² Free≈ 92 m² Corridor EXTERIOR ELEVATOR location to be confirmed 722 721 717 722 723 720 4403 480 241 479 1299 G F E D C B A 1 2 3 4 N 0 20 m
CONCEPT · UPS · BatteryCONCEPT
CONCEPT · Technical Center (main LV distribution)CONCEPT
YardHeat Rejection · Cooling PlantDesign · pending review
RoofPV array · telecom masts · unchangedExisting
BESTAND · Roof area over the PV plane toward the HarzBESTAND
BESTAND · Cellular antenna installations on the coreBESTAND
Request the full drawingsOpen every floor plan →
1st floor as it stands, bare shellAS IT STANDSCONCEPT

What is here. What we install. What you bring.

The same building, read as a chain. The line style is the answer, so nothing has to be taken on trust from a sentence.

  • Existing
  • Our scope, to be installed
  • Customer configuration
  1. 01Grid connection1 MW existing site connection, metered, through the compact substation outside.
  2. 02Transformer2 MVA on site, stepping the connection down to low voltage.
  3. 03Low-voltage distributionThe main distribution boards, going in now: busbars fitted, cables run.
  4. 04Dedicated AI feedA separate new transformer for the AI stage, at the 1.5 MW development basis.
  5. 05UPS and PDUConditioning and distribution to the floor. Topology follows the availability class a customer specifies.
  6. 06Data floorTwo upper floors fitted out: containment, cable management, fire compartmentation.
  7. 07In-row coolingAir with hot-aisle containment, at the 13.6 kW/rack the layout is designed around.
  8. 08Racks and hardwareYours. Accelerator, density and redundancy are the customer's design, and they set what the floor above has to become.

Every rack count needs a density beside it.

184 positions at 13.6 kW

Counted from our two-floor rack layout at 2.5 MW IT in the 3 MW expansion case, below the ~15 kW ceiling-air-with-containment limit, hence in-row cooling.

Higher density, by design

Past that ceiling the building takes liquid to the rack, and the figure follows the accelerator a customer specifies. We compute it against your hardware.

One megawatt of site connection. The compute comes next.

Steps, not a sum.

  1. 01 · Existing site connection

    1 MW

    complete8

    Through the existing 2 MVA transformer.

  2. 02 · Dedicated AI connection

    1.5 MW

    in progress9

    Current engineering basis, on a separate new transformer. Subject to grid confirmation.

  3. 03 · Expansion case

    3 MW

    planned10

    Filed with the grid operator · in review.

The full rack envelope and the design density belong to the far end of this sequence, not to today's connection.

45

minutes through the old town, from our ground floor

The tourist train through the old town parks in this building. A data centre is normally a fence with a camera on it; this one has an address, a door and a timetable.

What the town gets

The programmeThis building is the first step, and the programme is dated.

The Cube is Black Vault's first standing project. This building is the block at the centre.

The company and its structure
1–3 MWQuedlinburgIn development50 MWBlankenburg · Phase 12028/29· Design basisAI, QUANTUM COMPUTING AND POST-QUANTUM SECURITY
Not to scale: the campus is roughly seventeen times the node, and at true area the smaller ring would be hard to read. Containment is the claim, not proportion.

100

Black Vault network target · data centres in Germany and Europe

Target: 100 in five years · two sites under development · as of 08/2026

Come and read the plates yourself.

Everything on this page marked as existing can be stood in front of. We assemble visits in groups; tell us what you need to see and we will say what is open on the day.

Klopstockweg 10a, Quedlinburg. Ninety minutes covers all of it. Bring whoever has to sign.

Book a site visit
AS IT STANDS · 06/2026 · three phone clips of an ordinary walk-through
  • completeThe building, all seven floors
  • completeThe compact substation, doors open
  • completeThe transformer and the low-voltage distribution
  • completeThe battery room
  • completeThe photovoltaic façade, inside and out
  • completeThe roof, its antennas and its plant

Notes

  1. 14,431 m² – VERIFIED EXISTING (EXISTING) · effective 08/2026 · source: Project data sheet · verified 06.08.2026
  2. 27 – VERIFIED EXISTING (MEASURED) · effective 06/2017 · source: Structural drawing · verified 04.08.2026
  3. 328.40 m – VERIFIED EXISTING (MEASURED) · effective 06/2017 · source: Structural drawing · verified 04.08.2026
  4. 44.41 m – VERIFIED EXISTING (MEASURED) · effective 06/2017 · source: Structural drawing · verified 04.08.2026
  5. 52.60–2.67 m – VERIFIED EXISTING (MEASURED) · effective 06/2017 · source: Structural drawing · verified 04.08.2026
  6. 6600 kg/m² – VERIFIED EXISTING (SIGNED REPORT) · effective 01/2023 · source: Structural drawing · verified 31.07.2026
  7. 7184 – DESIGN BASIS (CALCULATED) · effective 08/2026 · source: Technical concept · verified 15.08.2026
  8. 81 MW – VERIFIED EXISTING (EXISTING) · effective 08/2026 · source: Project data sheet · verified 06.08.2026
  9. 91.5 MW – DESIGN BASIS (DESIGN BASIS) · effective 08/2026 · source: Letter of intent, 08/2026 · verified 15.08.2026
  10. 103 MW – SUBMITTED / IN PROCESS (SUBMITTED) · effective 08/2026 · source: Project data sheet · verified 09.08.2026
  11. 112 MVA – VERIFIED EXISTING (EXISTING) · effective 08/2026 · source: Site survey · verified 06.08.2026
  12. 122.33 MWh – VERIFIED EXISTING (EXISTING) · effective 08/2026 · source: Technical concept · verified 22.08.2026
  13. 131.05 MW – VERIFIED EXISTING (EXISTING) · effective 08/2026 · source: Project data sheet · verified 09.08.2026
  14. 14450 kWp – VERIFIED EXISTING (EXISTING) · effective 08/2026 · source: Technical concept · verified 22.08.2026
  15. 15Vodafone · Telefónica – VERIFIED EXISTING (EXISTING) · effective 08/2026 · source: Project data sheet · verified 06.08.2026
  16. 161,000 kp ≈ 1 t · 12 persons – VERIFIED EXISTING (MEASURED) · effective 08/2026 · source: Site survey · verified 07.08.2026
  17. 179,497 m² – VERIFIED EXISTING (OFFICIAL DATA) · effective 07/2026 · source: Cadastral data · verified 29.07.2026
  18. 18Klopstockweg 10a · Quedlinburg – VERIFIED EXISTING (EXISTING) · effective 08/2026 · source: Cadastral data · verified 29.07.2026
  19. 1909/2026 – LONG-TERM TARGET (TARGET) · effective 08/2026 · source: Project data sheet · verified 09.08.2026

Document status · Revision 01 · Last factual review 03 Sept 2026

Where else to go.

The rest of the site, including the parts a diligence reader wants and the parts the law requires.

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