Microsoft's new data center design dramatically decreases water usage

Microsoft's closed-loop system cuts water use in new data centers.

: Microsoft has designed a new data center cooling system that recycles water in a closed loop, significantly reducing water consumption. The company claims this approach will save over 125 million liters annually per data center, even as energy use might increase. New centers will adopt this system starting in 2026, amidst efforts to address the environmental impacts of expanding AI technology. Further innovations in server cooling are being explored, including liquid metal cooling and the potential of space-based data centers.

Microsoft is tackling the environmental challenges of data centers with a groundbreaking cooling system in its newest facilities. This closed-loop system recycles water between servers and chillers without drawing additional water from external sources, addressing water concerns heightened by the AI boom. Despite being labeled 'zero-water', the design still uses water initially but reduces demands to minimal levels, projecting an annual savings of over 125 million liters per center.

While the new system drastically cuts water usage, there is an increase in energy consumption. However, new chip-level cooling tech could potentially alleviate this impact by allowing higher operating temperatures. Microsoft plans to implement this system in locations such as Phoenix, Arizona, and Mt. Pleasant, Wisconsin by 2026, with more centers worldwide by 2027, gradually phasing out older cooling methods.

Other ventures also explore cooling alternatives like mechanochemical alloys and diamond-infused semiconductors to enhance efficiency. A European proposal even suggests using space-based data centers to avoid water usage, leveraging space's vacuum and solar energy. These innovative approaches highlight the tech industry's drive to solve environmental challenges posed by growing data demands.

Data centerscoolingEnvironmental Impact