Powering Progress: Data Center Innovations In Sustainable Energy

Energy is core to data center operations. Because of this, the data center industry has been working hard to improve its energy sustainability. With that in mind, here is a quick guide to what you need to know about data center innovations in sustainable energy.

Understanding energy consumption in data centers

The energy-intensive nature of data centers is due to a combination of three main factors. These are the energy requirements of the IT hardware itself, working practices, and the need for extensive infrastructure.

IT hardware: Data centers, by definition, are places for storing and/or processing data. This means they need an extensive range of IT hardware, particularly servers, networking devices, and storage systems. It’s now increasingly common for them also to need specialist hardware such as AI accelerators.

Working practices: Although data centers tend to be very big, they often still find themselves under space pressures. As a result, they often pack hardware very densely. This maximizes their functionality but also their need for electricity.

Infrastructure requirements: Data centers’ three core infrastructure requirements are power, network connectivity, and cooling. Of these, cooling is by far the most energy-intensive. In fact, traditional cooling solutions were a huge drain on data center power resources.

Data center innovations in sustainable energy

Here are five of the most important data center innovations in sustainable energy.

Renewable energy sources

The main renewable energy sources used to power data centers are solar power and wind power. This is because these resources are so widely distributed that most data centers will be able to use at least one of them. By contrast, hydroelectric power requires data centers to be located near a source of natural running water.

There is also potential in geothermal energy. Geothermal energy is energy drawn from the hot crust at the center of the earth. It is available everywhere but can be challenging to access.

Tapping into geothermal energy requires installing ground source heat pumps directly into the ground. As this ground needs to be kept accessible it cannot then be concreted over.

Waste heat recovery systems

Waste heat recovery systems capture and repurpose excess heat generated by data center operations for heating purposes or to generate additional electricity. These systems utilize technologies such as heat exchangers to extract heat from cooling systems or server racks, which would otherwise be wasted, and redirect it for heating adjacent spaces or for other industrial processes.

By harnessing waste heat, data centers can improve energy efficiency, reduce overall energy consumption, and minimize environmental impact. Waste heat recovery systems represent an innovative approach to sustainable energy utilization in data centers, contributing to both energy conservation and cost savings.

Energy-efficient infrastructure

For practical purposes, energy-efficient infrastructure really means energy-efficient cooling systems. Cooling systems can be optimized using innovative technologies such as liquid cooling and economizers. Liquid cooling involves circulating coolant directly to hot components, dissipating heat more efficiently than traditional air cooling methods.
Economizers leverage outside air to cool data center facilities, reducing the need for mechanical cooling systems.

Energy storage solutions

Energy storage solutions are essential for balancing supply and demand in data center power systems and enhancing energy resilience.

Battery technology, such as lithium-ion batteries, offers scalable and reliable energy storage solutions capable of storing excess energy during off-peak periods for use during peak demand or in the event of power outages.

Flywheel systems, which store kinetic energy in a rotating mass, provide short-term backup power and help maintain stable voltage and frequency levels in data center electrical grids.

Smart grid integration

Smart grid integration enables data centers to participate in demand-response programs and leverage grid-balancing technologies to optimize energy usage and reduce costs.

Demand-response mechanisms allow data centers to adjust their electricity consumption in response to grid conditions or price signals, helping to alleviate strain on the grid during peak demand periods.

Grid balancing technologies, such as energy management systems and predictive analytics, enable data centers to manage their energy resources dynamically and optimize their participation in energy markets.

By integrating with the smart grid, data centers can contribute to grid stability and support the transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy system.

Key challenges in implementing sustainable energy solutions

Here are the three key challenges of implementing data center innovations in sustainable energy.

Upfront costs: These include equipment procurement, installation, and infrastructure upgrades. Renewable energy technologies like solar panels and wind turbines require substantial investments, while energy-efficient upgrades may also entail expenses.

Technical feasibility: This hinges on factors like geographic location and infrastructure compatibility. For instance, urban data centers may face challenges in harnessing renewable energy effectively. Integrating renewable systems requires careful planning and engineering to ensure compatibility.

Regulatory hurdles: These add complexity, with governments offering incentives but also imposing regulations and permitting processes. Compliance with energy efficiency standards and renewable energy mandates further complicates matters. Overcoming these challenges demands meticulous planning, feasibility studies, and engagement with policymakers and industry stakeholders.