Microsoft Unveils Zero-Water Datacenter Design to Slash Cooling Water Use
- Zero-Water Cooling: Microsoft’s next-generation datacenters, launching in 2024, eliminate water evaporation for cooling, saving 125 million liters of water per datacenter annually.
- Sustainability Gains: Achieved an 80% improvement in Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) since the early 2000s, with plans to further reduce WUE to near-zero in future facilities.
- Energy Mitigation: New chip-level cooling designs minimize energy use, countering the increased power demands of mechanical cooling systems.
The Story:
Microsoft has launched a groundbreaking datacenter design that consumes zero water for cooling, a significant step toward sustainability amid rising water stress. The innovative design employs chip-level cooling technology that circulates water in a closed loop, eliminating the need for evaporation-based cooling.
“This design will avoid the need for more than 125 million liters of water per year per datacenter,” Microsoft announced, marking a pivotal move in reducing its environmental footprint.
Key Advances:
- Water Efficiency: Microsoft improved its average Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) to 0.30 L/kWh in the past fiscal year—a 39% reduction from 2021—and aims to achieve near-zero WUE with zero-water evaporation designs.
- Alternative Water Sources: Expanded use of reclaimed and recycled water in regions like Texas, California, and Singapore reflects Microsoft’s dedication to sustainability.
- Energy Impact Mitigation: While mechanical cooling systems slightly increase energy use, innovations like high-efficiency economizing chillers and elevated water temperatures help minimize power consumption.
Related Article: Microsoft Launches Free Global Webinar Series ‘Microsoft Sustainability Academy’
Future Plans:
New zero-water designs are being piloted in Phoenix, Arizona, and Mt. Pleasant, Wisconsin, with operations expected by 2026. Starting August 2024, all new datacenters will adopt this technology, with broader implementation set for late 2027.
Microsoft Chairman shared, “As water challenges grow more extreme, we know we have more work to do.” These efforts, alongside ongoing innovations, ensure Microsoft remains at the forefront of sustainable technology.
Bottom Line:
Microsoft’s zero-water cooling technology redefines datacenter operations, reducing water consumption and driving industry-wide environmental responsibility.
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