As data centers emerge as a cornerstone of the modern world, a significant environmental challenge arises: the massive water consumption required to keep servers cool. At AVAIO Digital Partners (AVAIO Digital), we are committed to addressing this challenge head-on. Our initiatives focus on reducing the water footprint of data centers while ensuring sustainable and reliable operations. AVAIO Digital is implementing a number of strategies to minimize water usage in our data center facilities.
Water Management Strategies
The first step entails thoughtful site selection.I response to water scarcity in California, we strategically chose a site near an underutilized wastewater treatment plant. This allows the incorporation of non-potable water into our daily operations, dramatically reducing our dependence on freshwater resources.
To further enhance water conservation efforts, we are working towards implementing rainwater runoff control and utilizing non-potable water for landscaping and specific indoor features. This approach facilitates the recycling and reuse of water, contributing to the overall sustainability of our data centers.
Our commitment to sustainable practices extends to the exterior of our data centers. AVAIO Digital designs landscapes with minimal water use in mind, incorporating native species with low irrigation requirements. Choosing low-water-consumption native plants reduces water usage and creates green spaces that harmonize with the local environment.
Cooling, Humidity Control
AVAIO Digital also places a strong emphasis on reducing water footprint in our core operations. Our design approach for all our data center sites prioritizes the use of air-cooled chillers, particularly in climates for which they are most appropriately suited. Air-cooled chillers efficiently regulate temperatures by circulating refrigerants through a closed-loop system. They remove heat from the data center environment and release it outside, helping us decrease water consumption and promote responsible resource utilization.
Moreover, we’re taking strides in optimizing humidity control within our data centers by addressing water consumption in our air conditioning systems. These systems play a vital role in maintaining the optimal operating temperature for servers in data centers, but they often involve substantial water consumption. To address this issue, AVAIO Digital is implementing a centralized control over the humidification of air conditioners. This helps minimize water usage and ensures the efficient operation of our servers.
In a world where data centers play an ever more critical role in our daily lives, it’s imperative to address their environmental impact. AVAIO Digital is committed to a sustainable future, including the environmental impact of water usage in data centers. Through site selection, water waste reduction, greywater sourcing, unified humidity control, and landscaping with native plants with low water consumption, we’re making progress towards a more eco-friendly and water-efficient data center industry. As technology advances, AVAIO Digital leads the way in ensuring this progress aligns with the preservation of our planet’s precious water resources.