Microsoft is set to introduce a new cooling system for its data centers that will consume no water, enhancing its sustainability efforts as it expands infrastructure to accommodate artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies. This initiative is part of Microsoft’s broader goal to lessen the strain on local resources where its data centers operate.
Launched in August, the new system utilizes a closed-loop design that ensures precise temperature control without water loss through evaporation. Steve Solomon, Microsoft’s vice president for data center infrastructure engineering, explained that unlike traditional methods that involved on-site evaporation to cut cooling power demands, the new approach replaces evaporative systems with mechanical cooling at the chip level.
This shift allows data centers to operate at higher temperatures compared to older IT hardware, thereby decreasing energy consumption with more efficient high-temperature chillers. Despite these advancements, Solomon noted a slight increase in yearly energy usage compared to their previous designs.
Microsoft plans to pilot this zero-water cooling system in new data centers in Phoenix, Arizona and Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, by 2026. With new facilities expected to become operational in late 2027, the company has been working to significantly cut water use in its operations, achieving an 80% improvement in Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) since its initial data center designs.
While water-based cooling systems have traditionally been more energy-efficient, their heavy water consumption poses challenges in arid regions. Some data centers employ air cooling, which requires no water but uses more energy. Situational awareness is vital when choosing cooling methods based on local environmental factors.
As the tech industry grapples with sustainability and resource conservation, Microsoft’s implementation of these new cooling solutions is an essential step given the anticipated growth in energy demands tied to AI technologies.
The development of closed-loop cooling systems isn’t novel; they’ve long been part of industrial manufacturing. Their adoption in data centers is becoming increasingly viable as operators strive to reduce carbon footprints and overall resource usage even as technology demands surge.
For Microsoft, enhancing resource efficiency through these developments not only helps meet sustainability goals but also fosters positive branding in the context of increasing investor scrutiny related to environmental impacts.
For more details, visit Microsoft’s official announcement regarding the sustainable data centers here.
