• • • ENCLOSURES • • •
The critical role of enclosures
in data centre sustainability By Gordon Johnson, Senior CFD Manager, Subzero
W
ith the data centre industry projected to use up to 4 per cent of the world’s electricity by the end of 2025 and some predictions indicating a rise to a potential 10 per cent by 2030, it is no surprise the sector is exploring new ways to reduce its carbon footprint. According to McKinsey & Co., AI-ready capacity has forced this pace of progress. Ten years ago, a 30-megawatt (MW) centre was considered large, but today, a 200-MW facility is considered normal. McKinsey’s analysis suggests that the demand for AI-ready data centre capacity is set to rise at an average rate of 33 per cent a year between 2023 and 2030, meaning that around 70 per cent of the total demand for data centre capacity will be to host advanced AI workloads by 2030.
Climate change contribution Unfortunately, much of the energy required to power AI-ready data centres is still sourced from fossil fuels. It’s one of the main reasons the industry has been identified as a major contributor to climate change. S&P Global Ratings’ estimates that U.S. data centre power demand is set to increase by 12 per cent per year until the end of 2030, effectively doubling by the end of the decade as growing energy requirements are likely to rely
on gas-fired power generation, slowing wider grid decarbonisation efforts. To achieve net-zero goals, it is imperative to incorporate recycled and recyclable materials and use renewable energy sources where available. This has the added benefit of enabling operational efficiency to be raised, cooling requirements reduced and significantly lowering CO emissions. This approach also supports global initiatives in combating climate change, decreasing waste and lessening greenhouse gas emissions. As we embrace more environmentally conscious options while focusing on operational growth and efficiency, questions inevitably arise. How large of a role should using recyclable, green and sustainable materials be in our data centres? And how much would this cost? It’s important that the strategies implemented not only lower the total cost of ownership (TCO) by lowering long-term operational costs but also reduce the carbon footprint, positioning data centres at the forefront of environmental sustainability.
Enclosures
One of the most effective strategies of increasing operational efficiency while consciously reducing carbon footprint is by enclosures. Data centre
enclosures, including containment systems, server cabinets and cooling solutions, are critical in enhancing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Enclosures improve cooling efficiency by segregating the hot and cold air streams. Hot aisle/cold aisle containment systems significantly reduce energy waste by ensuring that cooling efforts are concentrated where they are needed most. This separation minimises temperature fluctuations and prevents hot air recirculation, allowing cooling systems to operate more efficiently and reducing overall power consumption. Temperature fluctuations and inefficient cooling can also lead to overheating, which consequently shortens the lifespan of critical IT equipment. Enclosures help to maintain stable environmental conditions, extending the operational lifespan of servers and networking equipment. By increasing ITE longevity and minimising the frequency of hardware replacements, enclosures can also reduce electronic waste (e-waste), one of the fastest growing solid waste streams in the world.
Supporting green data centre initiatives
Integration of enclosures in data centre design aligns with global sustainability goals. Many organisations are now implementing eco-friendly enclosure solutions to attain energy efficiency targets, reduce operating costs and comply with the most recent and stringent international environmental regulations such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Those organisations that invest in green data centre enclosures also set a benchmark for responsible and sustainable operations for many others to emulate.
Data centre enclosures serve as more than just protective structures; they are key components in driving sustainability and increasing operational efficiency. By optimising cooling, reducing power consumption and extending equipment lifespan, data centres that use enclosures and smart technologies can make a substantial contribution to a greener future. As the industry grows, enclosures will continue to play a crucial role in creating future environmentally friendly data centres as the industry transitions to more sustainable practices.
18 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • MARCH 2025
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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