Bob Mical
According to Minh Khoi Le, global head of data center and hydrogen research, moderate enhancements in water efficiency might lower usage to 543 billion liters, whereas more aggressive enhancements could cut usage to 388 billion liters.
These numbers only reflect the direct water usage for cooling computing capacity, whereas water is also utilized in the electricity supply chain, which, according to the specialist, complicates the situation. Additionally, consumption differs greatly based on cooling technology, climate, and whether water withdrawal or true consumption is assessed.
Leading data center operators, such as AWS, Google, Microsoft, and Meta, have committed to utilizing water more efficiently. All four companies strive to reach "water surplus" by 2030, indicating they restore water supplies beyond their usage. They are engaged in initiatives to replenish freshwater supplies and enhance water efficiency, particularly in agriculture.
Simultaneously, 34% of water use in data centers by 2030 will take place in areas facing high and extremely high water stress. Rystad indicates that implementing cooling technologies that use less water may lead to a 45% reduction in water usage in these areas.
Areas with the highest risk consist of Jamnagar and Thana in India, along with Reeves County in Texas. Data centers in these regions use substantial quantities of water in relation to the extent of their water stress.
source: rystadenergy.com
These numbers only reflect the direct water usage for cooling computing capacity, whereas water is also utilized in the electricity supply chain, which, according to the specialist, complicates the situation. Additionally, consumption differs greatly based on cooling technology, climate, and whether water withdrawal or true consumption is assessed.
Leading data center operators, such as AWS, Google, Microsoft, and Meta, have committed to utilizing water more efficiently. All four companies strive to reach "water surplus" by 2030, indicating they restore water supplies beyond their usage. They are engaged in initiatives to replenish freshwater supplies and enhance water efficiency, particularly in agriculture.
Simultaneously, 34% of water use in data centers by 2030 will take place in areas facing high and extremely high water stress. Rystad indicates that implementing cooling technologies that use less water may lead to a 45% reduction in water usage in these areas.
Areas with the highest risk consist of Jamnagar and Thana in India, along with Reeves County in Texas. Data centers in these regions use substantial quantities of water in relation to the extent of their water stress.
source: rystadenergy.com
