Data centers are getting lots of attention recently, and there is a lot of focus around the electricity consumption that they need to operate. However, electricity is just one part of keeping a data center running. Servers generate lots of heat, and that heat has to be managed carefully to keep systems running and performing well. Because of this, data centers require lots of water to keep temperatures down and make sure everything can run well. With this high demand for water comes unique ways that data centers can reuse water to keep operations more sustainable and reduce energy costs and environmental impact.
A data center water retention system manages how water is used, reused, treated, or conserved in the facility. The objective is to meet cooling needs with minimal water waste and to optimize total efficiency while limiting impacts on the environment
How Data Centers Use Closed-Loop Water Systems For Cooling
Servers and other equipment in data centers generate lots of heat, and one of the most effective ways to cool these systems is by using water.
Nearly all new sites are looking at closed-loop data center cooling more closely. Instead of constantly consuming and discharging water, it circulates the same water or coolant in a closed loop. This can help reduce water waste and keep cooling systems reliable.
Ways That Data Centers Can Retain Water And Reduce Waste
There are several ways data centers can reduce water waste. Closed-loop cooling systems may reuse water during the cooling process, limiting both intake and waste. Another strategy is reducing evaporation from cooling towers, which can be a significant source of water loss in facilities that use evaporative cooling extensively.
Some facilities may also use reclaimed or treated water in addition to fresh water. In some instances, purple piping may be used for non-potable treated water for approved facility uses such as some cooling applications. Because this water is not suitable for drinking but is perfectly good for cooling data centers, it is a great method for keeping the data center in good condition while minimizing the impact for communities and environments around.
Why Location And Facility Design Matter In Data Center Water Use Reduction
Each data center water retention system has to be designed for the specific site. Climate, humidity, outside air temperature, water availability, infrastructure, and utility costs influence the right approach.
The cooling strategy for a data center in Pennsylvania where we are located won’t be the same for a facility in hotter states. For data centers in Pennsylvania and the surrounding states, the highest demand for cooling is only 3 months in the summer, and with our cooler nighttime temperatures, that’s even less time that intense cooling is required.
Having a data center cooled efficiently requires understanding exactly how each specific facility works, and developing a solution designed to offer the most effective and eco-friendly cooling possible.
Contact Quandel Energy Solutions To See How Your Data Center Can Run More Efficiently & Sustainably
Understanding how a facility uses water and energy today is the first step to improving data center water management. Facility leaders need to know where water is being used, where utility demand is rising, and which upgrades are most practical before embarking on large infrastructure changes.
Quandel Energy Solutions is here to help facilities assess their energy and utility usage and find the best opportunities for improvement. Each facility is different, and we work with your team to find the fixes that are designed to work best for you. Our energy audits and energy consulting services are designed to take a comprehensive look at your facility and see what opportunities for improvement there are. Once you have that baseline, we can help install the commercial utility reduction solutions that you need to keep things running smoothly for your facility.
To learn more about data center water retention opportunities or for other data center energy conservation solutions, trust the experienced team at Quandel Energy Solutions. Contact us today to get started.
