The data processing sector has an integral place in present-day society. In our digital age, data storage and cloud computing occur every minute of every day—with any action taken online requiring the use of innovative technology. Our data-driven economy requires data centers for business infrastructure, zapping continuous energy and electricity to power servers.
Many data center operators have sweeping sustainability initiatives, rousing their facilities to act on climate change with efficiency in mind. Let’s examine the impact of the data center industry on climate change and discuss counteractive techniques that meet eco-conscious demands.
Data Center Energy Usage
Undoubtedly, the impact of the data center industry on climate change revolves around the need for continual energy consumption. Data centers don’t run by free will; rather, they require the right power sourcing and cabling to get the job done day in and day out. The challenge lies in protecting the environment while meeting these rising digital demands. Resource efficiency through location and design is key.
Conserving resources is possible through energy-efficient power cabling equipment and layout strategies. The path for climate neutrality becomes clearer with such approaches—even tech-head honchos such as Google and Microsoft have purchased land in colder key markets to reduce energy needs for the environment.
Data Center Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Data centers are a point of interest for regulatory agencies and B2B consumers, as companies and organizations have a growing global concern for climate change. Reducing one’s carbon footprint is of the essence for green initiatives. Data centers are the factories of the digital age—responsible for as much greenhouse emissions as the airline industry. That leaves a major footprint on the environment.
Computational power and cooling are why these facilities are notoriously energy-intensive. Ergo, the development of green data center practices revolves around energy management and capacity planning. A data center’s power usage efficiency (PUE) divides the total power consumed by the power utilized for computing. Using this metric, data center operators and managers can learn how to mitigate inefficiencies. Innovative cooling systems and upgraded renewable technologies lessen waste and output emissions.
Data Center Water Usage
As a scarce commodity, water availability is an integral factor for managing climate change long-term. Data centers are known to utilize billions of liters of water annually. Typically, water is a natural resource for generating electricity and cooling down facilities. Regardless of how energy-efficient data centers strive to be, a significant amount of electric consumption transforms into heat and water waste at the end of the day. These losses are preventable with the right management techniques and creative recycling tools. Seawater, rainwater, and even wastewater can be captured and stored for useful output.
Challenges and opportunities certainly abound with data center efficiency and their influences on the environment. As technology incessantly advances and transforms, data center operators can ensure facility operations allow the use of natural materials and resources in a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable manner.
