Importance of Water Resources Management in the Data Center Industry for ESG
The world becoming progressively dependent on digital technology and the demand for data centers has been skyrocketed. The servers, which are the heart of data centers store, process, and manage digital data. These servers consume significant amounts of electric energy and produce heat. To cool down the heat of the servers as well as the data hall, a cooling system is inevitable equipment of the data centers. To maintain the operational condition in terms of heat and humidity of the data centers, water is a primarily used cooling medium in the data center industries. In fact, data centers are a major consumer of fresh water. It is estimated that the global data center industry uses up to 1.5% of the world’s freshwater supply.
As more and more data are generated, more water will be needed to cool data centers. The increasing demand for cloud computing is putting a strain on water resources. This high water usages of data centers pose a significant challenge to environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG). It could lead to the depletion of local water resources and intensify water scarcity in some areas. To ensure environmental responsibility and data center sustainability, water resources management has become an essential aspect of the data center industry.
In this article, I am going to discuss the importance of water resource management in the data center industry and explore some modern solutions for water resource management.
1. The aspects of water resource management in the data center industry for ESG
Water resources management is important for the data center industry for several reasons. First, water resources management can help to improve the efficiency of data center cooling systems. This can save energy and money. Second, it can help to reduce the amount of water used by data centers. This can help to conserve water resources and prevent water shortages. Also, water resources management can help to protect the environment. By reducing the amount of water used by data centers, we can help to protect rivers, lakes, and other water bodies. Thirdly, water.
1-a) Cost reduction
Reducing water usage in data centers translates to cost savings for operators. Water consumption and associated costs can be significantly decreased by implementing water-saving technologies and practices, leading to a more cost-effective and sustainable operation.
1-b) Reduction of environmental impact
By conserving water, data centers can reduce their environmental footprint and contribute to the responsible management of global water resources. This is particularly important in regions experiencing water stress or scarcity, where water conservation can help mitigate the risk of depleting critical water supplies.
1-c) ESG or other regulatory compliance
As concerns over water scarcity and resource management grow, regulatory bodies are increasingly focusing on the water usage of various industries, including data centers. By adopting water conservation practices, data centers can ensure compliance with current and future regulations, avoiding potential penalties or restrictions.
2. Techniques for water resource management in data centers
There are a number of ways to manage water resources in data centers. One way is to use more efficient cooling systems. Another way is to use recycled water or water from non-potable sources. Data centers can also reduce their water usage by using less energy. This can be done by using more efficient servers and by implementing energy-saving measures such as power-saving modes.
Water resources management is an important issue for the data center industry. By taking steps to manage water resources, data centers can help to conserve water, improve efficiency, and protect the environment.
2-a) Reuse and recycling of water:
One way to water conservation in data centers is the implementation of water reuse and recycling systems. By capturing and treating wastewater, data centers can reduce their overall water consumption and limit their impact on local water resources. This can include capturing condensation from cooling systems, recycling water used for cooling, or even utilizing alternative water sources, such as rainwater or grey-water.
Currently, Amazon Web Services (AWS) uses recycled water for the cooling purposes in 20
data centers around the world such as Virginia (US), Oregon (US), California (US), United Kingdom, Brazil, South Africa, India, Indonesia,
and Singapore region.
2-b) Use of Air-cooled cooling systems:
Another approach to reducing water consumption in data centers is by using air-cooled systems, which rely on fans or natural convection to dissipate heat. While air-cooled cooling systems can be less efficient than water-cooled systems in certain scenarios, advances in technology and innovative design approaches have significantly improved their performance and viability as sustainable cooling solutions. For example, a company called KyotoCooling LLC. produces a completely water-free cooling system. The average Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) across all current KyotoCooling installations worldwide is less than 1.25.
2-c) Liquid immersion cooling technique:
Liquid immersion cooling is an innovative technique that involves submerging servers in a non-conductive liquid coolant. This method efficiently transfers heat away from the servers, reducing the need for traditional cooling infrastructure and minimizing water usage. While still relatively new, liquid immersion cooling has the potential to revolutionize data center cooling and contribute to water conservation efforts.
2-d) Other approaches to address the issue:
Here are some specific examples of how data centers are managing water resources:
- Google has a number of data centers that use seawater for cooling. This helps to reduce the company’s reliance on freshwater.
- Facebook has a data center in Prineville, Oregon, that uses recycled water for cooling. This helps to conserve freshwater resources in the area.
- Microsoft has a data center in Quincy, Washington, that uses a combination of recycled water and air cooling. This helps to reduce the company’s water usage and energy consumption.
These are just a few examples of how data centers are managing water resources. As the demand for data continues to grow, it is important for the data center industry to find ways to conserve water and protect the environment.
Final Words
Water resources management is an essential aspect of sustainability for the data center industry, with significant environmental, economic, and regulatory implications. By incorporating innovative solutions and adopting water-saving practices, data centers can reduce their water consumption, contributing to the responsible management of global water resources and ensuring the long-term viability of the data center industry.
The 34th President of the United States, Dwight.D.Eisenhower once said, “The supreme quality of leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office.” Honesty and integrity are two important ingredients that make a good leader. How can you expect your followers to be honest when you lack these qualities yourself? Leaders succeed when they stick to their values and core beliefs and without ethics, this will not be possible.
“Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion.”—Jack Welch
Probably the most difficult job for a leader is to persuade others to follow. It can only be possible if you inspire your followers by setting a good example. When the going gets tough, they look up to you and see how you react to the situation. If you handle it well, they will follow you. As a leader, should think positive and this positive approach should be visible through your actions. Stay calm under pressure and keep the motivation level up. As John Quincy Adams puts it, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” If you are successful in inspiring your subordinates, you can easily overcome any current and future challenge easily.
Apart from having a futuristic vision, a leader should have the ability to take the right decision at the right time. Decisions taken by leaders have a profound impact on the masses. A leader should think long and hard before taking a decision but once the decision is taken, stand by it. Although most leaders take decisions on their own, it is highly recommended that you consult key stakeholders before taking a decision. After all, they are the ones who will benefit or suffer from your decisions.
Until you clearly communicate your vision to your team and tell them the strategy to achieve the goal, it will be very difficult for you to get the results you want. Simply put, if you are unable to communicate your message effectively to your team, you can never be a good leader. A good communicator can be a good leader. Words have the power to motivate people and make them do the unthinkable. If you use them effectively, you can also achieve better results.
To be an 
Your teams look up to you and if you want them to give them their all, you will have to be passionate about it too. When your teammates see you getting your hands dirty, they will also give their best shot. It will also help you to gain the respect of your subordinates and infuse new energy in your team members, which helps them to perform better. If they feel that you are not fully committed or lacks passion, then it would be an uphill task for the leader to motivate your followers to achieve the goal.
You cannot do everything, right. It is important for a leader to focus on key responsibilities while leaving the rest to others. By that, I mean empowering your followers and delegating tasks to them. If you continue to micromanage your subordinates, it will develop a lack of trust and more importantly, you will not be able to focus on important matters, as you should be. Delegate tasks to your subordinates and see how they perform. Provide them with all the resources and support they need to achieve the objective and give them a chance to bear the responsibility.
What separates a leader from a follower? 
Good leaders always have higher influence but how do they increase their influence on the point where people accept what they say. They do this by connecting with people emotionally. That is where emotional intelligence comes into play.
