Digitization is rapidly growing. In 2023, 5.3 billion people used the Internet, indicating that about two-thirds of the world’s population is directly connected to the World Wide Web. The data center market is experiencing rapid expansion driven by increasing digital transformation across industries, especially in Banking and Finance, communications, and health care. Governments and data center operators focus on integrating sustainability practices into the setup and operations of data centers.
The amount of data generated, stored, and processed is predicted to reach 175 zettabytes by 2025.
Energy consumption Concern
The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) yearly electricity report data shows that data centers used 460 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2022, the number that is predicted to surpass 1,000TWh by 2026. Accounting for 2% of worldwide electricity consumption, it shows the major impact of data centers on the environment and energy usage.
Of course, data center demand is going high, but its environmental impact also raises concerns because data centers use a large amount of electric energy. Within the data center, server and cooling systems consume the most power.
Governments have established guidelines and regulations for data center setup to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality.
Sustainability, Shaping the Industry
The shift towards sustainability profoundly shapes the industry and drives innovation in how data centers are designed, constructed, and operated.
The key area where sustainability impacts is ‘planning and construction’ of the data centers.
By adopting sustainability design principles, data center operators can minimize their environmental footprint from the outset. It includes considerations such as site selection to maximize the use of natural resources and the use of energy-efficient building materials and construction techniques.
Data center companies shift to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power to fulfill their energy requirements, minimizing their dependency on non-renewable sources.
Furthermore, sustainable practices are also being heavily integrated into the operational aspects of data centers.
Systems such as energy-efficient equipment, renewable energy adoption, and waste reduction are being adopted to enhance sustainability.
Executing energy-efficient cooling systems and server infrastructure contributes to the green transformation of data centers.
In conclusion, the green side of data centers is rapidly transforming the industry by adopting sustainability practices throughout the process, starting from the planning, construction, and operation, as data centers play a necessary part in supporting digital infrastructure.
By adopting sustainability practices, data center operators can lower their carbon footprint and contribute to a more environmentally responsible sector.
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