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Explore the top 10 best practices for sustainable data centers in 2024, including energy-saving design, renewable energy use, water conservation, waste reduction, and more.
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
These practices help data centers use less energy, create less waste, and lower their impact on the environment.
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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 lotBetter 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 environmentGetting 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 enoughThese 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 water4. 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 disposalBenefits 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 safely5. 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 centersLEED 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
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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
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 hardSafe 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 partsTo 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 treesThese 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 made9. 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 natureBy 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 landfillsBy 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
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.
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