A data centre is a complex facility with multiple functions, and it is important to ensure that it is operating efficiently. Sustainability is the best way to achieve this goal, and it can be accomplished by implementing strategies that balance environmental impact with business needs and costs.

One of the first steps is to establish a baseline for energy usage and emissions. This will help you set realistic goals for sustainable data centre development.

data centre sustainability

Energy

Many large tech companies operating data centres have aggressive sustainability goals – primarily focused on carbon reduction. Microsoft, for example, has plans to become carbon neutral by 2030 and Google has stated it will power its data centers only with renewable energy in 2023.

In fact, many data centre operators have adopted a more comprehensive approach to sustainability that includes more than just sourcing renewable energy. It also focuses on efficiency and innovative technology.

For example, operators can use a power usage effectiveness (PUE) metric to determine how efficiently a data center uses energy. This metric compares the amount of energy that goes to IT equipment with the amount used for overhead functions like cooling and power distribution.

Water

Water is a vital component in all life, providing essential properties for cells that maintain their internal structure and shape. It is also an important part of data center sustainability and helps prevent data loss by storing and transporting information securely.

Water use is an important issue that impacts both local and global communities. It’s critical for data centers to use as little water as possible while still maintaining efficiency, reliability and productivity.

Several companies have taken steps to reduce their water use and improve their overall data centre sustainability. Some of these actions include switching to renewable energy, reducing their carbon footprint and investing in creative solutions to offset water consumption.

Air

Air is an important aspect of data centre sustainability because it plays a crucial role in keeping servers healthy and functioning. The right temperature and humidity levels are needed to ensure that equipment doesn’t suffer from oxidation or electrical shocks.

Airflow management is one of the main methods that data centres use to minimise power consumption for cooling. Ideally, cold air should be recirculated in supply aisles to keep servers cool and functioning efficiently while hot air should be vented from exhaust aisles to remove waste heat quickly.

Another common way that data centres release pollution is through diesel-burning emergency generators used to keep them running in the event of a power outage. Some states track this pollution and issue air quality permits to technology facilities to limit its impact.

Materials

Data centres consume a huge amount of energy, so ensuring they’re green has become an important goal for many operators. This means sourcing more sustainable materials, using low-emission building materials, carpets and paints during the build and aiming for better PUE (power usage effectiveness) levels.

Embodied carbon, which refers to the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from all processes involved in gathering, manufacturing and transporting construction materials, is also a key consideration when making data centres green.

For example, repurposing existing buildings can reduce emissions by up to 78 percent. Moreover, new builds can save 13 percent of their carbon footprint by adopting low-carbon approaches during construction.

Waste

Data centres consume a significant amount of energy, which can have an enormous impact on the environment. However, data centers are often able to offset their energy usage by improving efficiency and using renewable resources.

The e-waste generated from data centres can be a major problem for the environment and is increasingly becoming a cause for concern. Many companies dispose of computers and equipment when they no longer serve a useful purpose.

Recycled materials can be an excellent option for reducing waste. This can be done by partnering with an IT asset disposition (ITAD) operator who can help you maximise the re-use of components and parts.

As well as re-using equipment, the use of recycled materials can also reduce the need for new mining to extract conflict materials like Tin and Tantalum. This can help divert revenue away from mining enterprises, which can be a source of environmental damage.