10 Best Practices for Sustainable Data Centers 2024

Data centers are going green to cut energy use and emissions. Here are the top 10 ways they're doing it:

Energy-saving design: Better cooling and airflow
Renewable energy: Using solar, wind, and other clean sources
Water conservation: Efficient cooling and rainwater reuse
Waste reduction: Recycling and reusing materials
Green building standards: LEED and other certifications
AI for energy savings: Predicting use and optimizing resources
Equipment lifecycle management: Extending lifespan and safe disposal
Carbon reduction: Tracking emissions and aiming for net-zero
Green supply chain: Choosing eco-friendly suppliers and products
Ongoing monitoring: Regular checks and continuous improvement

PracticeKey BenefitEnergy-saving designReduces power consumptionRenewable energyCuts fossil fuel dependenceWater conservationLowers water usageWaste reductionMinimizes environmental impactGreen building standardsImproves overall sustainabilityAI for energy savingsOptimizes resource useEquipment lifecycle managementExtends hardware lifeCarbon reductionDecreases emissionsGreen supply chainPromotes eco-friendly practicesOngoing monitoringEnsures continuous improvement

These practices help data centers use less energy, create less waste, and lower their impact on the environment.

1. Energy-saving design

Modern cooling methods

Data centers make a lot of heat and need good cooling to work well. New cooling ways work better than old ones:

Cooling MethodHow It WorksBenefitsLiquid coolingUses liquids to remove heatMore efficient than air coolingDirect-to-chip coolingCoolants flow right over hot partsTargets heat sources directlyImmersion coolingPuts parts in special liquidCuts energy use for cooling a lot

Better airflow and temperature control

Making data centers that use less energy is key. Here's how to do it:

Use modular designs that can grow as needed
Plan the layout to help air flow better
Put racks and parts in the right spots

These steps help data centers use less power and cost less to run.

2. Using renewable energy

Solar, wind, and other clean energy sources

Data centers can cut their impact on the environment by using clean energy like solar, wind, water, heat from the earth, and plant-based power. This helps them rely less on fossil fuels and support a cleaner future.

Benefits of Clean EnergyDescriptionLess pollutionReduces harmful emissionsLower costsCan save money over timeMore reliable powerLess dependent on one sourceGood for business imageShows care for the environment

Getting clean energy on-site and off-site

Data centers can use clean energy in two main ways:

1. On-site:

Put solar panels on roofs
Store extra energy for later use

2. Off-site:

Buy clean energy from other places
Get certificates to show they use clean energy
Choose special energy plans from power companies

To make this happen, data centers can:

Build their own clean energy systems
Work with others to make the power grid cleaner
Put money into projects that add more clean energy to the grid

3. Saving water

Water-efficient cooling systems

Data centers can use less water by:

Using rainwater and recycled water for cooling
Collecting water from air conditioning units
Using systems that cool with less water

Some cooling methods that use less water:

MethodHow it worksLiquid coolingUses liquids to cool hot partsImmersion coolingPuts computer parts in special liquidAmbient coolingUses outside air when it's cool enough

These methods help data centers save water and power.

Collecting and reusing rainwater

Data centers can save water by:

Collecting rain from roofs
Using rainwater for:
- Cooling systems
- Toilets
- Other tasks that don't need clean drinking water

This helps in two ways:

Less use of drinking water
Less strain on water treatment plants

Other ways to save water:

MethodWhat it doesUse recycled waterReuses water that's been cleanedSmart watering for plantsWaters only when neededFix leaks quicklyStops wasting water

4. Cutting waste and recycling more

Handling electronic waste

Data centers make a lot of e-waste, like old computers and parts. This waste can hurt the environment and put data at risk. It's important to get rid of it safely.

Reusing and recycling materials

Data centers can cut waste by reusing and recycling. This helps the environment and saves money. Here's how:

Fix and reuse old equipment
Recycle parts from old machines
Give working equipment to groups that need it
Work with trusted recyclers

These steps help data centers make less waste and be better for the planet.

What to do with old equipmentHow it helpsFix and reuseMakes equipment last longerRecycle partsUses less new materialsGive awayHelps others and reduces wasteUse certified recyclersEnsures safe disposal

Benefits of reusing and recycling:

BenefitWhat it meansLess wasteFewer old parts in landfillsSave resourcesNeed less new materialsSave moneyBuy less new equipmentKeep data safeGet rid of old machines safely

5. Green building standards

Green building standards help data centers be better for the environment. These standards guide how to build and run data centers in ways that use less energy and resources.

Types of green building certifications

Data centers can get different green certifications:

CertificationWhat it looks atLEEDEnergy use, water use, materials, indoor air qualityENERGY STARHow well the building uses energyGreen Grid Data Center Maturity ModelHow well the data center runsEU Code of Conduct for Data CentersBest practices for European data centers

LEED is a well-known certification. It gives points for:

Using less energy
Saving water
Using good materials
Having clean air inside
New ideas in design

Data centers can get different LEED levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum.

Why green building standards are good

Green building standards help data centers:

Use less energy and water
Run better
Look good to customers

BenefitsHow it helpsSave moneyUse less energy and waterBetter imageShow they care about the environmentKeep customers happyPeople like green businessesFollow rulesMeet government standards

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6. Using AI to save energy

AI for predicting energy use

AI helps data centers use less energy by looking at past and current data. It can:

Spot where energy is wasted
Help make better choices about energy use
Improve cooling systems
Manage server work better
Distribute power more efficiently

Machine learning for better resource use

Machine learning, a type of AI, helps data centers use their resources better. It does this by:

Looking at how servers are used
Checking storage space
Watching network traffic

This helps data centers:

Save energy
Reduce waste
Work better overall

What Machine Learning DoesHow It HelpsManages server workUses resources betterChecks cooling systemsCuts energy useLooks at lightingFinds ways to save powerWatches other equipmentSpots chances to use less energy

7. Managing equipment lifespan

Making equipment last longer and getting rid of old parts safely are key for data centers to be more eco-friendly.

Making equipment last longer

Here's how data centers can make their equipment work for a longer time:

StrategyWhat to doRegular checksLook at equipment often, clean it, and fix worn partsUpdatesAdd new parts to old machines to make them work betterSmart useUse tools like server virtualization to make machines work less hard

Safe disposal and recycling of old hardware

When it's time to get rid of old equipment, data centers should:

ActionWhy it's importantRecycleSaves materials and makes less wasteErase data safelyKeeps private information safeGive awayHelps others use still-working parts

To do this right, data centers can:

Work with good recycling companies
Use special ways to erase data, like strong magnets or breaking hard drives
Find groups that can use or fix old equipment

8. Lowering carbon emissions

Data centers need to cut down on carbon emissions to help the environment. This means keeping track of how much carbon they use and taking steps to use less.

Tracking and reporting carbon use

Data centers can measure their carbon footprint by:

Checking how much energy they use
Figuring out how much carbon this energy makes

They can use tools like the Greenhouse Gas Protocol to do this. By keeping track, data centers can see where they need to improve.

Steps to reach zero carbon emissions

To stop making carbon emissions, data centers can:

StepWhat it meansUse clean energySwitch to power from sun, wind, or waterUse less energyMake machines work better so they need less powerMake less wasteReuse and recycle moreHelp other green projectsPut money into things like planting trees

These steps can help data centers cut down on carbon and be better for the planet.

What to doHow it helpsUse clean energyLess dirty fuel usedUse less energyLess power needed overallMake less wasteLess stuff thrown awayHelp green projectsMakes up for carbon still made

9. Green supply chain practices

Data centers can make their supply chains better for the environment. This means picking suppliers who care about nature and setting rules for buying equipment.

Picking suppliers who care about nature

When choosing suppliers, data centers should look for those who:

Use clean energy
Make less waste
Make things in ways that are good for the earth

Picking these suppliers helps data centers:

Make less pollution indirectly
Get other companies to care more about nature

Rules for buying equipment

Data centers can set rules for buying equipment to help the environment:

RuleWhat it meansCheck energy useBuy machines that use less powerLook at materialsChoose things made from recycled or plant-based stuffThink about the endPick equipment that's easy to recycle when it's oldCheck supplier's recordWork with companies that show they care about nature

By following these rules, data centers can:

Use less energy
Make less waste
Help companies that care about the earth

This helps data centers do their part to keep the planet healthy.

10. Regular checks and improvements

Watching green performance as it happens

Data centers need to keep an eye on how well they're doing with being green. They should check things like:

What to CheckWhat It MeansPower Usage Effectiveness (PUE)How well the center uses powerCarbon Usage Effectiveness (CUE)How much carbon the center makesWater Usage Effectiveness (WUE)How well the center uses waterWaste Diversion RateHow much waste is kept out of landfills

By watching these things, data centers can:

Find ways to do better
Fix problems quickly
Use less power and water
Make less waste

Getting everyone to help make things better

To keep getting better at being green, data centers should:

Teach workers about being green
Ask for ideas from everyone
Say "good job" when people help

They can also make green teams to:

Look after green projects
Make sure green plans fit with the center's big plans

When everyone helps, data centers can:

Come up with new ideas
Keep getting better at being green
Help the earth more

Conclusion

As we wrap up our look at the 10 best ways to make data centers better for the earth in 2024, it's clear that green data centers are very important. With more people using digital services and worrying about the climate, data centers need to focus on being eco-friendly to help the planet.

Using these 10 ways can help data centers:

Use less power
Make less pollution
Create less waste

Being green can also:

Save money
Help data centers work better
Make people like the company more

Benefits of Green Data CentersLess power useLess pollutionLess wasteSave moneyWork betterBetter company image

As data centers keep changing, it's key to stay up-to-date and use green ways that fit with what the company wants to do. By working together, we can make data centers that are better for the earth now and in the future.

10 Best Practices for Sustainable Data Centers 2024