One of the biggest challenges in the computing world to date is server storage space. This means that companies are needing more and more servers and more power to run them. Power and the effect running these server facilities creates an abundance of heat that has to be mitigated in order for the servers to continue functioning. Large multi-national companies that rely on server technology to provide their product or services are turning towards more eco-friendly cooling technologies in order to cool their facilities. Here’s how three of the most effective green data centers are cooling their massive amounts of servers.
(Lulea, Sweden)
Mark Zuckerberg knows something about having to manage massive server data centers as the owner of both Facebook and Instagram. In 2013, Facebook launched the Lulea server center that is cooled naturally by the Nordic air, coming from the Arctic Circle, and whatever residual heat is left over is used to heat the office above.
- Apple
(Maiden, NC)
Apple is a corporation that has shown its commitment to sustainable energy. When the Maiden, North Carolina data center was under construction, some were unsure if the facility would be able to be 100% powered by green technology. They did it. Not only does the whole facility run on sustainable, eco-friendly power sources but much of it’s data center cooling is achieved with free-outside air, allowing the chillers to be turned off 75% of the time.
(Hamina, Finland)
Google has practically become synonymous with innovation and their Hamina, Finland location is no exception. Built from an old paper mill, they pull seawater from the Gulf of Finland to run through the server’s heat exchanges and then remix the warm water with cold before returning it to the Gulf.
Also of note are HP’s Wynyard, United Kingdom data center for its innovative use of rainwater to keep the servers humidified and Green Mountain’s Stavanger, Norway location that uses seawater based free cooling from the local fjord.