How some data center operators are tackling their water use problems
Summary
Tech companies are facing challenges with water use for cooling data centers, especially in regions with water shortages. Some companies like Microsoft and OpenAI are moving away from water-intensive cooling methods, while Google is investing in projects to save and replenish water and adjusting cooling techniques based on local water availability.Key Facts
- Data centers use large amounts of water to cool server racks, often through evaporative cooling.
- Evaporative cooling reduces energy use but can consume billions of gallons of water annually.
- Google’s data center in Iowa used over 1 billion gallons of water in 2024.
- A report predicts hyperscale data centers could use up to 33 billion gallons of water by 2030 if relying on evaporative cooling.
- Water scarcity is a top concern for the public regarding new data center developments.
- Microsoft, OpenAI, and Oracle are moving away from evaporative cooling in some areas to conserve water.
- Google is pledging to replenish more water than it uses, invest in local water projects, and tailor cooling methods to local water supplies.
- Google conducts detailed studies to decide the best cooling methods based on each region’s water situation.
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