Data centers across the globe are grappling with soaring energy demands, utilizing “hundreds or thousands of times more energy” than standard chatbot systems. This rising apprehension has energizing research and advancement, resulting in something cool—literally. Industry experts and advocates have long stressed the immediate need for better, more effective ways that reduce energy use and cost without compromising operational integrity and safety.
Dr. Sasha Luccioni, a prominent researcher in the field, has emphasized how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are transforming industries but consuming vast amounts of energy. She fights for transparency, calling on AI companies to be transparent about the energy use of their products. “If you have models that are very energy-intensive, then the cooling has to be stepped up a notch,” Dr. Luccioni stated, underscoring the connection between high computational demands and increased cooling needs.
The often pessimistic Yulin Wang, former senior technology analyst at IDTechEx, has sounded the alarm bells. He summarizes safety hazards associated with the cooling chemicals used in some two-phase cooling systems. Yet, as these systems gain wider adoption, more attention is rightly being paid to moving to PFAS-free refrigerants that are safer with better alternatives. Wang’s perspective on this emerging technology illustrates a growing movement towards sustainability within the industry.
Microsoft recently confirmed that it had shuttered a project aimed at exploring new cooling technologies, reflecting a broader trend among tech companies reassessing their strategies. One of the world’s foremost experts on operational procedure, Alistair Speirs, called attention yesterday to some of the lessons that Microsoft took away from their experience. He remarked, “Without [human] operators, less things went wrong – that informed some of our operational procedures.”
Iceotope is working on a pioneering, integrated, liquid cooling system. This innovative system is designed to reduce cooling expenditures by up to 80%. Jonathan Ballon, CEO of Iceotope, described their approach: “We’ll have fluid that comes up and [then] shower down, or trickle down, onto a component.” This approach improves operational efficiency while reducing noise and operational disruption, with completely fan-less operation providing silent enrichment.
Another noteworthy project comes from the University of California San Diego, where Renkun Chen and colleagues have published research on a pore-filled membrane-based cooling technology. This unique, first-of-its-kind approach can produce substantial reductions in energy demands for cooling and could open the door to its commercialization. Prof Chen explained, “Essentially, you are using heat to provide the pumping power.”
Data centers have faced major headwinds as of late. One of the most prominent was a high-profile cooling system failure at one of the U.S. This occurrence led to expansive financial trading technology temporarily going offline at CME Group, the world’s largest exchange operator. Therefore, these events stress the vital need for dependable and effective cooling units to ensure seamless practices.
Beyond these technological innovations, though, other companies are getting creative with how we can use the excess heat produced at data centers. One major U.S.-based hotel chain has big dreams. They’ll use the heat from their servers to help heat guest rooms, laundry facilities, and swimming pools. This initiative is a great example of how industries can work together to improve energy efficiency with the added benefit of offering more to their customers.
As the global need for data grows rapidly, the intersection between AI technologies and advanced cooling solutions grows more critical in addressing both needs sustainably. Experts like Dr. Luccioni call for a concerted effort among tech companies to prioritize energy efficiency and transparency in their operations. As focus shifts toward the future of data centers, much will rest on the shoulders of such innovations and the willingness of industry leaders to embrace them.