The reality is that data centers that won't change the way they cool will not be around in the next two to three years. Customer demands to be sustainable, climate change and water scarcity are forcing the hand of operators to change the way they cool. Despite the strides made by data centers to reduce their carbon footprint, the crisis of water scarcity has reached a tipping point. The increase in water consumption and cost may not offset the savings in electricity for a particular site, especially in data center locations that are water-stressed.
However, this is where innovation starts. With that, data centers around the globe are either decreasing the need or eliminating water altogether for cooling.
You may think that high-density environments demand more water, but not necessarily. Phill Lawson-Shanks, Aligned's Chief Innovation Officer will discuss the evolution of cooling as it meets density demands and how:
• Using a Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) metric helps data centers achieve reliable, cost-effective cooling lowering PUE, provide customers reliable service, reduce energy use and maintain an industry-leading PUE by using less (or no) water
• Increasing efficiency and reliability using closed-air cooling systems, leveraging seasons to reduce cost, energy consumption and water use
• Other methods of water conservation offset water usage including on-site rainwater retention and off-site water reclamation projects in local watersheds.
Moving forward, data centers will need to consider running waterless - benefiting customers looking to operate without the use of water, while maintaining lower connected power and lower PUE.

Takeaway

Attendees will:
-Understand where they stand in terms of their own water consumption
-Learn ways to become more water sustainable in the short-term
-Be able to implement innovative, long-term strategies to help conserve energy and water and lower PUE, while meeting customers' sustainability goals