It’s not something we often give much thought to but the increasingly important role that data centres play in the modern world, helping to power the internet, is drawing some concern. Data centres are the physical locations where vast amounts of data are processed, stored, and transmitted. Without these facilities the internet, as we know it, wouldn't exist. From handling online banking transactions to streaming your favourite TV shows, data centres ensure that the digital services we rely on are always available, fast, and secure. 

What are data centres and how they are powered?  

Data centres are simply thousands, sometimes millions, of servers—powerful computers that process data at incredible speeds. These servers store and manage everything from social media data to cloud-based applications and websites. Unsurprisingly these centres are energy-intensive facilities. Powering thousands of servers and storage devices around the clock requires an enormous amount of electricity. On top of that the centres need a comprehensive cooling, ventilation and fire system as servers that are used constantly get very hot. Keeping the systems cool is vital but energy intensive.  

Why is power usage in data centres increasing? 

Data centres’ energy consumption has been growing rapidly due to: 

• Data Explosion: With the rise of video streaming, social media, IoT (Internet of Things) devices, and cloud computing, the amount of data being generated, stored, and processed is skyrocketing. More data means more servers and, consequently, more energy consumption. 

• AI and Machine Learning: Advanced technologies like AI and machine learning require enormous processing power. Training machine learning models and running AI algorithms requires significant computational resources, adding further to the energy demands of data centres. 

This increased resource pressure is significantly adding to our global electricity consumption, water consumption and carbon emissions. 

What can we do moving forward? 

Data centres will continue to play a pivotal role in our world. However, the challenge will be to balance the growing demand for data processing with the needs of our planet. As the world becomes more reliant on digital infrastructure, finding ways to make data centres more energy-efficient and sustainable is crucial.  

One critical path forward will be building energy efficient data centres and technologies, shifting more towards renewable energy, and responsible design will all help reduce the environmental impact of data centres. We’re really interested to hear how your work might help achieve this balance of enabling the continued growth of the internet while minimising its ecological footprint. Please do get in touch to discuss further!