Microsoft is taking a groundbreaking step toward sustainable technology by integrating zero-water cooling systems into all new data center built after August 2024.
These systems, expected to save 125 million liters of water annually per facility, represent a critical innovation as global water resources face increasing strain. The first centers employing this system are set to open in Phoenix, Arizona, and Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, by 2026.
Recycled Water Does The Trick
The new liquid cooling technologies used by Microsoft recycle water through a closed loop. Once the system is filled during construction, it will continually circulate water between the servers and chillers to dissipate heat without requiring a fresh water supply.
Microsoft explained that once the system is filled during construction, water will circulate continuously to cool servers without requiring additional fresh water.
The zero-water cooling initiative coincides with Microsoft’s rapid AI-driven expansion, as the company scales its infrastructure to support generative AI workloads like those powering ChatGPT. These workloads require vast computational resources, intensifying the company’s energy and resource demands.
Balancing AI Expansion with Environmental Responsibility
Microsoft’s ambitious AI growth plan has seen the company double its GPU capacity over the past year, extending its data center footprint across 98 global locations. In April 2024, Microsoft announced plans to double its data center capacity by mid-2024, adding over 200 megawatts of power monthly.
These efforts solidify Microsoft’s position as a leader in AI technology, but they also highlight the tension between technological advancement and environmental sustainability.
Generative AI models, which rely on thousands of GPUs running simultaneously, are notorious for their high energy consumption. Critics argue that while zero-water cooling represents a step forward, the energy demands of AI workloads could undermine the overall sustainability of Microsoft’s initiatives.
Efficiency of Zero-Water Cooling
Traditional cooling systems in data centers often rely on evaporating millions of liters of fresh water to dissipate heat generated by servers. Microsoft’s zero-water cooling technology replaces this with a closed-loop system that circulates water between servers and chillers, maintaining optimal temperatures without evaporation.
This system drastically reduces water consumption after an initial setup phase during construction.
Microsoft monitors its data centers using Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) and Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), key metrics for sustainability. In the last fiscal year, the company achieved a WUE of 0.30 L/kWh, a 39% improvement from 2021. The adoption of zero-water cooling is expected to reduce this figure to near zero for facilities using the technology.
Replacing evaporative cooling with mechanical systems, however, may slightly increase PUE, which measures energy efficiency. Microsoft says, “Our latest chip-level cooling solutions will allow us to utilize warmer temperatures for cooling than previous generations of IT hardware, which enables us to mitigate the power use with high-efficiency economizing chillers with elevated water temperatures.”
Timber Construction: A Complementary Approach to Sustainability
Microsoft recently also announced the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) in the construction of two new data centers in Virginia. CLT, a prefabricated material made by layering wood at perpendicular angles, offers strength comparable to steel while reducing construction emissions by up to 65% compared to concrete-heavy designs.
The Virginia projects retain concrete foundations and steel beams for structural integrity, but the integration of CLT reflects Microsoft’s efforts to reduce the environmental impact of construction.
While this shift to sustainable materials is commendable, critics argue that it addresses only a fraction of the carbon footprint associated with Microsoft’s AI infrastructure, which is dominated by operational emissions from energy-intensive workloads.
A Sustainable Vision for the Future
Microsoft’s multifaceted sustainability strategy combines immediate solutions, such as zero-water cooling and CLT construction, with experimental approaches like liquid immersion cooling. These efforts demonstrate the company’s commitment to addressing environmental challenges while expanding its AI capabilities.
By tackling water scarcity, reducing construction emissions, and optimizing energy efficiency, Microsoft is setting a precedent for eco-friendly innovation in the tech industry. However, as AI continues to grow, the question remains: can sustainability keep pace with technological progress?
