25 September 2024
Danielle Swenson, Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Digital activities dominate nearly every aspect of life today, a trend that is only set to accelerate with the explosive growth of AI technologies. While these activities may seem intangible, the physical infrastructure supporting them carries a hidden environmental cost, often overlooked by the general public. However, most data center developers are aware of the environmental impact of their facilities when it comes to energy consumption and carbon emissions. Despite this, much of the industry’s attention has been on operational carbon – the emissions from powering and cooling equipment – while embodied carbon, resulting from construction materials and processes, remains under-addressed. To truly advance sustainability, developers must focus on both types of carbon emissions and modernize outdated building systems to meet the rising energy demands driven by AI.
With U.S. data center demand projected to grow by 10% annually until 2030 [1] and the industry already accounting for 4% of global electricity consumption and 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions [2], improving the sustainability of data center infrastructure is no longer optional – it’s absolutely imperative for mitigating their escalating environmental impact.
The Importance of Whole Life Cycle Thinking
Operational and embodied carbon are two distinct sources of emissions in data center buildings. Historically, most attention has been placed on operational carbon due to the significant energy demands associated with running servers, cooling systems, and other critical infrastructure. This emphasis has been particularly relevant in the context of global power shortages, further underscoring the need to optimize energy use [3]. Operational carbon is also easier to measure and reduce thanks to energy-efficient designs, renewable energy integration, and regulatory frameworks that prioritize lowering energy consumption. Historically, this approach has yielded both economic benefits and tangible reductions in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.
On the other hand, embodied carbon encompasses the emissions associated with the construction materials and processes used in building data centers. These emissions fall under Scope 3, which represent anywhere from 38-69% of the total carbon footprint [4] of the building, and are locked in at the point of construction, meaning they cannot be reduced after the building is completed. A staggering 90% of cumulative embodied carbon emissions are associated with mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) equipment, while over 85% of non-MEP emissions come from the structure and enclosure [5]. For this reason, it is imperative to select low-carbon materials with verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
A key strategy for reducing embodied carbon is to conduct a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) early in the design phase. Focusing on the most significant contributors – such as concrete, steel, and MEP equipment – can have a meaningful impact. For example, a typical air-cooled chiller data center has a total 60-year lifetime embodied carbon of approximately 6,547 kg CO₂e/m² [6], compared to 1,300 kg CO₂e/m² for an average office building [7]. While embodied carbon has typically been more difficult to assess and has received less attention, the growing focus on whole-life carbon accounting is shifting priorities toward reducing this often-overlooked source of emissions.
Increasing Demands from AI
As we look to the future, AI will dramatically increase power density demands in data centers. Simultaneously, the urgency to combat climate change, especially with 2024 expected to be the hottest year on record [8], means that sustainable innovation is more critical than ever. The sustainability of AI infrastructure can be explored through two distinct pathways: computing technology and built system technology [9].
In computing, advancements such as energy-efficient processors, ultra-ethernet, enhanced fiber optics, and improved algorithms optimize performance while minimizing energy consumption. Equally important, and essential for project design teams to consider, is the development of built system technology which involves optimizing the physical infrastructure of data centers and addresses the mechanical and electrical systems in the building.
Cooling systems are especially critical. Evaporative cooling, while less energy-intensive, has a higher embodied carbon impact upfront. In contrast, immersion cooling offers a lower embodied carbon footprint compared to both evaporative cooling and traditional air-cooled chillers, making it an attractive alternative for reducing both operational and embodied carbon. Additionally, heat recovery systems, improvements in server layout, better insulation, and more efficient energy distribution within the facility must also be considered to optimize sustainability.
Unlock Sustainability for Your Data Center
Sustainability in data centers is not just a matter of environmental responsibility; it’s an economic and reputational imperative. With digital demand continually increasing, the need for environmentally responsible data center construction is more urgent than ever. By choosing “greener” materials, leveraging energy-saving technologies, and considering site selection and water conservation strategies, developers can significantly reduce their environmental footprint while reaping economic and reputational benefits in the process.
As a global real estate ESG consultancy, Longevity Partners offers specialized sustainability consulting services, including life cycle assessments (LCAs), thermal comfort and daylight studies, and energy modeling. Additionally, Longevity Partners guides projects through the complexities of certifications such as LEED and BREEAM and played a pivotal role in conducting the sustainability assessment of the first data center in the United States to achieve BREEAM certification. To explore how Longevity Partners can unlock sustainability for your data center, please contact Ted Stadtmueller at ts@longevity-partners.com.
Sources:
[3] https://www.cbre.com/insights/reports/global-data-center-trends-2024
[4] https://blog.se.com/datacenter/2023/07/11/demystifying-data-center-scope-3-carbon-with-our-findings/
[5] https://www.introba.com/news/hidden-emissions-cloud
[6] https://www.introba.com/news/hidden-emissions-cloud
[7] https://www.gresb.com/nl-en/faqs-about-embodied-carbon/
[8] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/08/climate/heat-records-2024.html