Datacentres and their role

Data centres are the powerhouses of data storage and processing. However, data generation accounts for no more than 0.1% of the energy converted by data centres. The other 99.99% of the energy used by data centres is converted into heat.  

With heat as the main outcome of data centre performance, with data generation only acting as a byproduct, are we utilising our data centres effectively?  

In a recent article in Intelligent Data Centres, our Sustainability Lead, Astrid Wynne explored an argument by David Gyulnazaryan, an independent consultant focused on data centre heat reuse.  

In this argument, Gyulnazaryan explores the idea of implementing data centres as a source of heating for other industries and within a community.  

This is not a novel idea and we do see inventive ways of dealing with the heat emitted from data centres around the world. A  prime example is the Lefdal Mine Datacenter in Norway which uses water from the fjord for cooling; this water, once heated, is delivered to a nearby salmon farm. Similarly, EcoDataCenter in Sweden uses its generated heat for district heating and to aid pellet manufacturing in the region.  

Gyulnazaryan posed the idea of incorporating data centre heating into town planning and manufacturing projects to reduce carbon emissions and provide consistent warmth to homes, businesses and industries within the local area around data centres.  

The Idea of Data Centre Heating 

  • Data centre heating is not restricted to colder climates. Products produced around the world, such as beer, milk products, packaging and pharmaceuticals, require heat no matter the location.  
  • Gyulnazaryan is looking to introduce a circular system integrating data centres with external infrastructure to help reduce carbon production and the waste of energy through unused heat. Currently, heat is difficult to harvest as it is rejected into the ambient air by chillers and dry coolers within a data centre environment.  
  • Industry experts are looking into the differences between the “handprint” of data centres (the positive effect they have on carbon emissions) vs their “footprint” (the GHG they are responsible for). Heat reuse would mark an extension of the handprint, encouraging benefits to local government and town planners. 

Sustainable Technology 

Gyulnazaryan’s argument poses an interesting alternative to data centre use and promotes sustainability within the sector. As a supplier of sustainable IT solutions, this argument struck a chord within our business. At Techbuyer we are constantly looking for alternative and innovative methods to improve the environmental impact of technology on the environment through carbon reduction, the reuse of materials and the development of a circular IT economy.  

Find out more about Techbuyer’s sustainable IT solutions here or read the full article on Intelligent Data Centres Below: