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Sustainable data centre: meeting net zero carbon
As our demand for data continues toÌýincrease,Ìýthe data centre industryÌýisÌýexpandingÌýat a staggering rate. These centres are the backbone toÌýmuch of ourÌýeconomic, commercialÌýand social lives.ÌýThey are alsoÌýsome of the world’s biggest consumers of power.ÌýÌý
Ìý
As countries around the worldÌýpledge their commitment to carbon neutrality, or net zero carbon, environmental regulations are fastÌýevolving; and simultaneously, ESG is pushing up the corporate agenda.ÌýThe sector is responding, with many global cloud and data centre operators, as well as smaller national providers, committed toÌýbecomingÌý.
![Data management - computer generated noughts and ones](/imported-media/1029/data-management-and-analytics-shutterstock_11705547460008.jpg?width=800&height=800&quality=100)
The challenge: data centres are energy and resource intensive
It’s no secret that data centres are energy intensive. Various estimates have placed data centresÌýas accounting forÌý2% of the world’s energy consumption —ÌýroughlyÌýequivalent toÌýtheÌýaviation industry. And while big strides have been made, designing, developing and operatingÌýsustainableÌýdata centres remains one of the biggest challenges facingÌýdevelopers, co-location operators, global cloud computing providers andÌýhyperscalersÌýalike.
What is a net zero carbon data centre?
TheÌýÌýrequires the following:Ìý
Increase and measure energyÌýefficiencyÌý
Data centres and server rooms must meet a high standard for energy efficiency, demonstrated through aggressive power use effectiveness (PUE) targets.ÌýForÌýEuropeanÌýoperatorsÌýcommitted toÌýthe Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact this has been specified as an annual PUE target of 1.3 forÌýnew data centres operating at full capacity in cool climates by 2025, and 1.4 in warm climates.ÌýExisting data centres will achieve these same targets by January 1, 2030.Ìý
Clean energyÌý
Carbon neutral data centres should be powered by 100% renewable energy.ÌýThe states that under the Self-Regulatory Initiative data centre electricity demand will be matched by 75% renewable energy or hourly carbon-free energy by December 31, 2025 and 100% by December 31, 2030.Ìý
Water efficiencyÌý
Data centres rely on vast amounts of waterÌýfor computer cooling. ButÌýforÌýa data centreÌýto be sustainable itÌýmust reduce this to minimum levels by targeting ambitious water conservation targets.ÌýThe water metric targetÌý- water usage effectiveness (WUE) or other water conservation metric -Ìýmay vary depending on the data centre design specification.Ìý
A circular economyÌýÌý
Data centre operators mustÌýapplyÌýcircular economyÌýpracticesÌýto repair and recycle servers, as well as reusing waste heat where possible.Ìý
Circular energy systemÌý
The Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact highlights the energy conservation opportunity presented for the reuse of data centre heat. Data centre operatorsÌýcanÌýin a way that is practical,Ìýenvironmentally sound and cost effective.Ìý
![Seven stage framework to design for net zero carbon buildings and infrastructure
1. Set strategy and define the brief
2. Concept design
3. measure and reduce carbon using LCA
4. Design and collaboration
5. Manage carbon in construction
6. Handover - carbon management
7. Monitor and report performance in use](/imported-media/6699/achieving-nc-through-design-wheel.jpg?width=800&height=800&quality=100)
How to achieve a sustainable data centre
The transition to a net zero carbon industry requires a shift in the way data infrastructure is planned, designed and built.ÌýÌý
Our Net Zero Carbon design approach sets out a project pathway to embed best practice sustainable design principles intoÌýeach project stage.ÌýTackling the building design, materials, engineering solutions, construction andÌýoperation, we can guide you to deliver a truly whole life net zero project;ÌýorÌýmore simply toÌýembed sustainable principles and technology toÌýachieve energy and resource efficiencies in line with your commercial objectives.Ìý
How can we help?
Working in partnership, we can support you right from project inception; from clarifying regulations, defining targets and steering you through the planning process, to identifying and mitigating environmental impacts such as air quality, addressing biodiversity net gain, through to cost effective and pragmatic advice for design and operation.
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