The Future Is Here: Green Data Centers
What You’ll Find in This Post
- Green data centers are becoming essential as sustainability moves from a bonus to a baseline requirement.
- With stricter regulations, LEED certifications, and rising energy demands, tech companies are adopting innovative solutions like cool roofs, zero-water cooling, and onsite power.
- Pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMBs) are emerging as the ideal structural choice, offering efficiency, recyclability, and solar-readiness.
Sustainability Solutions for Big Tech
As tech companies erect data centers across the U.S., the issue of sustainability has become paramount for all new construction. What used to be a design bonus is now a spec requirement. Making sure new buildings are energy efficient and environmentally sound dovetails with good citizenship and common sense. But the trend is also driven by some specific external pressures:
The baseline reporting that new buildings undergo now routinely includes assessments of power usage effectiveness (PUE) and carbon usage effectiveness (CUE). With this in mind, it makes sense to include energy-efficient features in a project from the beginning.
Nearly half of upcoming data center projects will be located in non-attainment zones. These are areas where air quality already fails to meet national pollution standards and are therefore subject to stricter emission requirements. Builders can avoid conflicts by voluntarily incorporating low-emission design features in their construction plans.
New building projects now routinely seek LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. This designation (which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) evaluates a building’s efficiency in various areas and assigns a rating accordingly. There are four certification levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. LEED certification can enhance a building’s resale value as well as its attractiveness for lease clients. In addition, LEED-certified structures are generally more healthy and pleasant for occupants. Meanwhile, owners can reap the benefits of lower operational costs, less waste, and better worker morale.
The need for greater efficiency has led to innovations in data center design:
Cool Roofs
With the use of reflective materials and coatings, cool roofs send solar radiation back into the atmosphere, reducing heat absorption and easing the burden on HVAC systems. By lowering mechanical load requirements, they have a direct, measurable impact on PUE scores. This is especially helpful in heat-prone states such as Oklahoma.
Zero-Water Cooling Systems
To alleviate the high water usage associated with data centers, some are now incorporating closed loop cooling systems. Besides being environment-friendly, these systems are cost-effective for the building owners. In contrast to traditional evaporative systems, once a closed-loop system is filled, it requires no additional water to function. The water savings at a single facility can amount to 125 million liters per year. This explains why major data center companies including Microsoft, Evolution Data Centres, Vertiv, and Bridge Data Centres are all moving toward zero-water cooling systems.
Onsite Power Generation
In some cases, data center construction is outpacing the production of available power to sustain them. In response, more data centers are opting to create their own power through the use of fuel cells, solar arrays, and other technologies. Some create their own microgrids, which can supplant or supplement reliance on the larger regional power grid. According to a recent report from Bloom Energy, 38 percent of data centers surveyed expect to incorporate onsite power generation by 2030. And an astonishing 27 percent expect to derive all their power from onsite generation by 2030.
The PEMB Connection
Pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMBs) are a good fit for the current trend toward green data centers.
What green construction demands, PEMBs already offer:
PEMBs ARE MATERIAL-EFFICIENT. Since most of the components of a PEMB are produced in a controlled factory setting, construction site waste is minimized. The precision of the process ensures the most efficient use of materials.
PEMBs ARE RECYCLABLE. From the metal roof and wall cladding to the stainless steel fasteners, most of the components of a PEMB can be recycled.
PEMBs ARE CARBON-EFFICIENT. They produce less embodied carbon (the total carbon emitted through the lifecycle of a structure) than their concrete and tilt-up counterparts.
PEMBs ARE SOLAR-FRIENDLY. Rather than being retrofitted after the fact, solar arrays can be incorporated into the design from the beginning—lowering operating costs and improving ESG (environmental, social, governmental) performance.
All the innovative features that characterize green data center construction are readily adaptable for PEMBs. From solar-ready capability to accommodating battery backup systems and microgrid tie-ins, PEMBs are keeping pace with the demands of today’s smart building design.
Since data center construction is among the most dynamic sectors in today’s economy, the ability to expand easily is also a primary concern. With their modular designs, PEMBs are perfect for that too.
FCG – Data Center Construction Experts
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is a green data center?
A green data center uses sustainable building practices and energy-efficient technologies to reduce environmental impact.
Q2: What does PUE mean in data centers?
PUE, or Power Usage Effectiveness, measures the efficiency of a data center’s energy usage. A lower PUE indicates greater efficiency.
Q3: Why are zero-water cooling systems important?
They drastically reduce water use — up to 125 million liters annually per facility — and support sustainability in regions with limited water resources.
Q4: How do PEMBs support sustainable data centers?
PEMBs minimize construction waste, reduce embodied carbon, and can be built solar-ready, making them ideal for ESG-aligned builds.
Q5: What percentage of data centers will use onsite power by 2030?
According to Bloom Energy, 38% will generate some of their own power, and 27% plan to go fully onsite by 2030.