menSeL LlWiKS

rane's Bob Coleman shares his expertise on how zero carbon data centre cooling could help operators move towards sustainability in the digital age As data centre power demands increase, so does the potential for significant increases in carbon emissions. Cooling remains one of the most energy-intensive aspects of data centre operations. However, through careful design strategies and leveraging the latest technology, it is possible to achieve zero carbon cooling, thereby reducing carbon emissions and better integrating with the existing utility grid. The challenge of zero carbon cooling The carbon emissions of a data centre are directly linked to the carbon footprint of its power source. A data centre powered by a utility that exclusively uses hydroelectric or nuclear fission generation could achieve zero-carbon cooling relatively easily. Unfortunately, most data centres are not situated in such favourable locations. Achieving zero-carbon cooling instead requires a comprehensive approach that includes high-efficiency cooling systems, advanced control techniques and the integration of renewable energy sources. These data centres can achieve net-zero carbon emissions through energy storage or by providing excess renewable electricity back to the utility grid when available.