POWERING THE DIGITAL AGE
tify this investment. The payback period can vary greatly, ranging from five to 30 years, based on factors like system design, local geological conditions, and energy prices. Additionally, the returns on this investment can be seen through reduced cooling costs, environmental advantages, and enhanced energy self-sufficiency.
Sustainable Cooling Technologies The integral to the success of these
sustainable data centre cooling solutions is a clear understanding of the Earth's subsur- face conditions, which is invaluable when selecting suitable locations for geothermal systems. Identify regions with optimal geo- logical characteristics, such as porous rock formations and proximity to geothermal heat sources. This knowledge is crucial in ensuring the efficiency and longevity of these innovative cooling systems.
Unearthing Sustainable Solutions
The marriage of geology and technology is an ingenious solution to the environ- mental challenges data centres pose. Data centres can significantly reduce their carbon footprint by harnessing the Earth's natural cooling capabilities. This is a silent revolu- tion; provided the expertise to make it all possibleis taken advantage of.
Several sustainable cooling technologies
are being developed and implemented in data centres, including:
1. Free Cooling: This method uses outside air to cool data centres when the ambient temperature is low enough, reducing the need for energy-intensive mechanical cool- ing systems.
2. Liquid Cooling: Liquid cooling sys- tems use liquids like water or spe- cialised coolants to absorb heat from data centre equipment. Water is a critical resource for data centre cooling, and its consumption can significantly impact local water sup- plies. These systems can be more energy-efficient than traditional air cooling methods.
3. Harnessing Renewable Energy: While renewable energy alone can- not address the adverse environ- mental impact of data centres, it can significantly reduce their carbon footprint. By adopting more renew- able energy sources, data centres can become carbon neutral, reduc- ing their environmental impact while increasing their profits.
4. Energy Efficiency and Waste Reduction: Improving energy effi- ciency is critical to sustainable data centre operations. By implementing sustainable cooling solutions, data centres can significantly improve their energy efficiency, reducing operational costs and lowering car- bon emissions. Additionally, mini- mising electronic waste (e-waste) generated by data centre refresh
activities can help reduce the envi- ronmental impact of these facilities.
Energy-efficient system Data centre cooling systems ensure the
efficient and reliable operation of nearly all the online technology we use. As data centres grow, addressing the environmen- tal concerns associated with their cooling operations becomes increasingly crucial.
While cooling technology has improved
over the years, data centres consume substantial energy, leading to higher car- bon emissions and environmental impact. However, the industry has committed to adopting sustainable initiatives to mitigate these effects.
Solutions to these challenges include
opting for energy-efficient systems, renew- able energy sources and practising opti- mised cooling management. Through these efforts, more energy and resources can be saved.
Technology advancements can reduce
the environmental impact of data centre cooling, allowing for greener operations. Ultimately, achieving sustainability in data centres requires further research and devel- opment. As the world of online technology continues to grow, now is the time for the data centre industry to progress towards a more sustainable future.
Republished from the Wisconsin Section's Federal Updates, Spring 2024 Newsletter. The EPA announced April 10, 2024, it is issuing a national
regulation limiting PFAS in drinking water. $1 billion in funding was announced to help implement testing and treatment of public water systems, part of a $9 billion investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help communities with drinking water impacted by PFAS and other emerging contaminants. EPA summarized the rule as follows:
• For PFOA and PFOS, EPA is setting a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, a non-enforceable health-based goal, at zero.
• EPA is setting enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels at 4.0 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS, individually.
• For PFNA, PFHxS, and “GenX Chemicals”, EPA is setting the MCLGs and MCLs at 10 parts per trillion.
• EPA is also setting a limit for any mixture of two or more of the following PFAS: PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and “GenX Chemicals”.
www.aipg.org The final rule requires:
• Public water systems must monitor for these PFAS and have three years to complete initial monitoring (by 2027), followed by ongoing compliance monitoring. Water systems must also provide the public with information on the levels of these PFAS in their drinking water beginning in 2027.
• Public water systems have five years (by 2029) to implement solutions that reduce these PFAS if monitoring shows that drinking water levels exceed these MCLs.
• Beginning in five years (2029), public water systems that have PFAS in drinking water which violates one or more of these MCLs must take action to reduce levels of these PFAS in their drinking water and must provide notification to the public of the violation.
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Jul.Aug.Sep 2024 • TPG 33
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