Future outlook
Turning pressure into opportunity
Building resilience
To secure a resilient future, the onus is on data centre owners and operators to find more efficient, reliable and sustainable means to power these energy-hungry facilities. This includes more greener power sources and design solutions to reduce operational carbon.
This can’t be viewed as a long-term issue alone. Effective, early efficiency interventions will improve the sector’s resilience now and ensure power requirements can be met in time and at an acceptable cost.
Accelerating action
Opinions are mixed on the delivery of carbon emission improvements in the sector, with 56 percent of respondents believing their programmes do not yet have a clear plan to achieve net-zero.
don’t think the data centre sector has a clear, measurable plan to achieve net-zero carbon
There is a widespread understanding that sustainable construction and operation go hand in hand with meeting power demands. However, now is the time to turn thought into tangible action.
Energy insecurity as a net-zero catalyst
Rising energy prices can renew the drive to net zero. The data centre sector needs to focus on creating joined-up, programmatic approaches that factor wider cost pressures.
Boldness will be rewarded in the race to improve efficiency of operations and net-zero credentials through power efficiency interventions and more sustainable power solutions.
To provide the sector with the resilience it needs during fuel supply shocks, and to meet the requests of some leading markets for data centres to bring more of their own power solutions to the table, on-site generation will need to be significantly upscaled.
For the industry to reset its approach and take a more sustainable path, greater collaboration is required across the sector to share best practice and road test new ideas. The formation of the EU Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact in 2021 was a step in the right direction. However, to make a universal step-change, this needs wider participation and equivalent commitments in all global regions.
“An emerging challenge for developers is achieving new net-zero ambitions whilst providing sufficient back-up power supply. Nonetheless, we have seen innovation as exemplified by Rack Centres’ Lagos facility which became the first-ever data centre to receive the EDGE sustainability building certification.”
Gerald Madondo, Data Centre Lead - Africa
Betting on renewables
Renewable energy sources such as solar and biomass could also be gradually implemented into the overall power strategy to achieve this. However, any new technologies required for delivery will have commercial implications.
One emerging recycled biofuel is hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). The fuel boasts a 90 percent reduction in CO2 emissions, and it can be used immediately with existing generators, requiring minimal operational investment to make the switch.
The next ‘Eureka’ moment might well come from the ongoing work from chip developers to explore a new topology for processors. This could pave the way for much more efficient operation of data centres. Pressures on finding sufficient available land and meeting energy demand could be significantly eased by these innovations in the future.
“Net-zero carbon and sustainability are rising up agendas, driving investment in on-site renewables. The UK Government’s energy white paper promoting first-of-a-kind Small Modular Reactors by the early 2030s could act a catalyst for investment in on-site nuclear generation.”
Rebecca Best, Data Centre Cost Lead - UK
Leading the change
Large-scale, established players in the market can be expected to lead the charge to sustainable solutions, leveraging partnerships built over time with mechanical and electrical experts to identify practical solutions. By investing time in a longer design duration, developers can create wriggle room to test and refine options.
Smaller developers may be equipped with greater agility to adopt change at pace, however their limited credentials make it more challenging for them to secure established suppliers with the skills to deliver net-zero interventions at scale.
Attracting green talent
Establishing a clear net-zero vision and roadmap for the sector is an opportunity to attract the next generation of talent, presenting a clear and inspiring purpose for the next wave of processing and design experts. Fresh thinking will bring untapped solutions and create the pathway to a resilient and thriving pool of data centres.
Resetting for a sustainable future
For the industry to reset its approach and take a more sustainable path, greater collaboration is required across the sector to share best practice and road test new ideas. The formation of the EU Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact in 2021 was a step in the right direction. However, to make a universal step-change, this needs wider participation and equivalent commitments in all global regions.
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