Solving the Big Data Energy Crisis - Seite 2

This is the case with a breakthrough innovation called two-phase immersion cooling (2-PIC). To cool data centers, this closed loop system submerges servers in a liquid while it operates. The heat generated by the electronics is removed as the fluid boils, and that heat can be recovered and used for other purpose on-site. This technology stands to drastically reduce the energy and water consumption of data centers. In fact, third-party modeling estimates that a 100-megawatt Houston-based data center could reduce cooling energy use up to 90% and generate over $350 million in energy savings over 10 years by leveraging 2-PIC instead of current air and water technologies.¹

Beyond energy and water efficiency, 2-PIC technology also offers an environmental footprint that is 60% smaller compared to traditional air-cooling technology and would generate global energy savings of 340 terawatt hours (TWh) by 2055 - or the equivalent of powering more than 517 million laptops 24/7.²

This innovation relies on hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), which are a newer class of climate-friendly fluorinated gases (F-gases), which are safe for use in the intended application and can be recovered and recycled, promoting circularity. If we hope to address the big data energy crisis-and other societal challenges in the future-HFOs and other sustainable innovations must be protected by regulation.

To leverage 2-PIC as a solution for drastically improving water and energy efficiency, policymakers must protect access to all of the critical ingredients on which 2-PIC relies, including F-gases. Policy frameworks that do this will be instrumental to addressing the big data energy crisis.

Such policy frameworks will also, in turn, advance the global sustainability agenda as outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement while helping to achieve other important policy priorities - the critical role of 2-PIC in the data center industry has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense, which dubbed this proven technology as critical to national security.

As we look back on CERAWeek, we are glad the imperative for policies that meet this pivotal moment in history was part of the discussion. Data centers are the foundation of our increasingly digital economy, and ensuring they are able to operate efficiently is vital to enabling technological innovation that will bring about further environmental, economic, and societal progress.