As COP28 unfolds to discuss the critical need to address climate change, the intersection of technology and environmental sustainability is an important point in discussions about our planet’s future. Among the critical players in this dialogue are data centres, the backbone of our increasingly digital world.
While data centres are important as we navigate the complex landscape of information storage and processing, it is necessary to assess the environmental impact of these facilities. This blog explores the role that data centres play in the context of climate change, delving into the challenges they pose, and the innovative solutions required to help us move towards a sustainable and resilient future.
The environmental impact of data centres
According to The Guardian, the energy consumption of data centres is set to account for 3.2 percent of the total worldwide carbon emissions by 2025, and they could consume almost a fifth of global electricity. This sobering statistic emphasises the urgency with which we must address the environmental impact of data centres.
Some of the environmental impacts of data centres are:
- Energy consumption
Data centres demand massive amounts of electricity to power and cool the countless servers that handle our digital transactions, store information, and support cloud services. Often reliant on non-renewable energy sources, this high energy consumption contributes significantly to carbon emissions, exacerbating the environmental toll. The electricity required for their operation, predominantly sourced from fossil fuels, releases substantial amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Statistics show that data centres account for about 0.8% of global electricity demand and 0.3% of global carbon emissions. These numbers may seem small, but in the grand scheme of things, they are significant. Furthermore, as our reliance on digital data continues to grow, these numbers are set to increase unless we act. - Electronic waste
Beyond energy and carbon, the life cycle of data centre equipment introduces another environmental challenge: electronic waste. Data centres generate a significant amount of waste from the construction, operation, and decommissioning of the facilities and equipment. As technology rapidly advances, older servers and hardware become obsolete, leading to the disposal of electronic components. Managing this e-waste responsibly is essential to prevent environmental pollution and maximise resource efficiency, requiring innovative solutions for recycling and sustainable disposal. - Water usage
Data centres generate immense heat, necessitating extensive cooling mechanisms to maintain optimal operating conditions. This reliance on water-intensive cooling systems poses a threat to local water resources, especially in areas already grappling with scarcity. Examining the water usage patterns of data centres is crucial for developing water-efficient technologies and mitigating the impact on surrounding ecosystems.
Charting a sustainable path for the future
Charting a course towards sustainability becomes not only a necessity but an opportunity for positive change. In this section, we explore key strategies to overcome these challenges, offering actionable solutions that can reshape the landscape of data centre operations.
From embracing renewable energy to adopting circular economy principles, the journey towards a more sustainable future involves a collaborative effort that extends across industries, governments, and innovative technologies.
- Transitioning to renewable energy sources
One of the primary ways to mitigate the environmental impact of data centres is by transitioning to renewable energy sources. Shifting from traditional fossil fuels to clean and sustainable energy options, such as solar, wind, and hydropower, can significantly reduce carbon emissions associated with data centre operations.Many leading tech companies, such as Apple and Google, have already committed to powering their data centres with 100% renewable energy, setting a positive precedent for the industry. They achieve 100% renewable energy for their data centres through direct investments in solar and wind projects, long-term power purchase agreements, on-site generation, and a focus on global procurement of clean energy. These tech giants also leverage innovative technologies and engage in environmental advocacy to support sustainability initiatives and offset their carbon footprint.Regardless of your organisation’s size, you can implement the same strategies as these tech giants to facilitate your transition. While the scale and resources may vary, the underlying principles remain universally applicable, ensuring that even smaller entities can embrace sustainable practices for a greener future. Moreover, governments and businesses alike can incentivise and support this transition through policies and investments in renewable energy infrastructure. - Energy efficiency measures
Improving the energy efficiency of data centres is crucial in reducing their overall environmental footprint. Implementing advanced cooling technologies, optimising server performance, and adopting energy-efficient hardware can significantly decrease the amount of electricity required for data centre operations.Consider implementing advanced cooling technologies, like efficient air conditioning systems and airflow management, to optimise temperature control. Regularly assess and optimise server performance through virtualisation and server consolidation to minimise energy consumption. You can also prioritise energy-efficient hardware options when upgrading, choosing servers, storage, and networking equipment with high-efficiency ratings. Additionally, exploring innovative designs, such as liquid cooling systems and modular architectures, can contribute to more sustainable and resource-efficient data centres. - Choosing the right infrastructure platform
The choice of the infrastructure platform is critical as it serves as the core component of the data centre. Strategic infrastructure choices not only enhance operational efficiency but also play an important role in promoting a greener and more responsible approach to IT management.In order to improve power efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint, thoughtful consideration is required. Also, optimising your data infrastructure size is crucial for cost control and efficient resource utilisation. Right-sizing involves configuring infrastructure accurately, identifying misconfigurations, and choosing suitable solutions, whether on-premises, cloud-only, or a hybrid approach.This approach helps minimise hardware, leading to cost savings in purchases, power consumption, physical space, and licensing. It also facilitates reductions in energy consumption and capex costs by leveraging the cloud, virtualisation, and workload consolidation. Organisations can also take advantage of scalable solutions to enable them to maintain provision levels, saving on capex costs and addressing usage peaks. - Circular economy principles
To address the electronic waste generated by data centres, organisations could embrace the principles of a circular economy as done by organisations such as Microsoft, Apple and Google. Rather than following a linear model of production, consumption, and disposal, a circular economy promotes the continual use, refurbishment, and recycling of materials.Data centres can adopt strategies such as equipment reuse, component recycling, and responsible disposal practices. Adopting modular designs for data centre equipment enables easy upgrades and repairs, extending the lifespan of devices and reducing the overall waste generated. Furthermore, organisations can establish take-back programs to retrieve and refurbish obsolete equipment, fostering a closed-loop system. Also, collaborating with suppliers to source materials responsibly and incorporating recycled materials in manufacturing processes also contributes to the circular economy.Donating decommissioned but still functional equipment to charities or smaller not-for-profit organisations ensures that the devices continue to serve a purpose, extending their lifecycle and reducing electronic waste. This approach not only aligns with the ethos of circular economy principles but also contributes to social responsibility by empowering organisations that may not have the financial means to invest in new technology. - Water-efficient cooling technologies
Another critical aspect of data centre sustainability is water conservation. Data centres use vast amounts of water for cooling, humidification, and power generation. Water conservation measures can reduce the water usage effectiveness (WUE) of data centres, which is the ratio of annual water usage by the facility to IT equipment energy.Data centres can explore alternatives such as closed-loop cooling systems, which significantly reduce water consumption compared to traditional open-loop systems. Investing in research and innovation to create cooling solutions that minimise water usage while maintaining optimal temperature conditions is crucial. Moreover, strategic placement of data centres in regions with abundant water resources can help ease the pressure on areas facing water scarcity.While large-scale implementations might be more feasible for major corporations, smaller organisations can adopt scaled-down versions or explore shared infrastructure solutions. Industry advancements in water-efficient cooling systems include innovations like advanced evaporative cooling techniques, precision cooling technologies, and the development of specialised cooling fluids with improved heat transfer capabilities.Additionally, the integration of artificial intelligence and smart sensors allows for real-time monitoring and adjustment of cooling processes, optimising efficiency. Smaller companies can benefit from these advancements by adopting modular and scalable solutions that align with their specific data centre size and budget constraints.Collaborating with technology providers and staying informed about emerging trends in the cooling industry enables smaller organisations to implement cutting-edge solutions for sustainable and cost-effective data centre operations.
The way forward
It is evident that the environmental challenges posed by data centres are substantial. The urgency of the situation demands collaboration among governments, businesses, and the tech industry. While the statistics on energy consumption, electronic waste, and water usage emphasise the need for change, within these challenges lie transformative opportunities. By transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, choosing the right infrastructure, embracing circular economy principles, and adopting water-efficient cooling technologies, organisations can pave the way for a sustainable future.
At Nephos, we understand the challenges posed by data centres in the context of environmental sustainability and the pressing need for cutting-edge technologies to address these challenges effectively. We also understand that implementing these technologies is no easy feat.
With our dedicated team of experts and partners, we can help provide a seamless unified environment to run applications and manage data across various locations, offering the flexibility to optimise workloads for minimal environmental impact. By minimising hardware footprint and power consumption, we can help provide a solution that aligns with sustainability goals, allowing you to use resources judiciously and scale as needed.
Need assistance setting up the most efficient infrastructure tailored to your organisation’s needs? We stand ready to assist: Contact Us