IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i11p6114-d564730.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Strategies for Improving the Sustainability of Data Centers via Energy Mix, Energy Conservation, and Circular Energy

Author

Listed:
  • Matteo Manganelli

    (Department of Astronautical, Electrical & Energy Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy)

  • Alessandro Soldati

    (Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy)

  • Luigi Martirano

    (Department of Astronautical, Electrical & Energy Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy)

  • Seeram Ramakrishna

    (Center for Nanotechnology & Sustainability, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117575, Singapore)

Abstract

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are increasingly permeating our daily life and we ever more commit our data to the cloud. Events like the COVID-19 pandemic put an exceptional burden upon ICT. This involves increasing implementation and use of data centers, which increased energy use and environmental impact. The scope of this work is to summarize the present situation on data centers as to environmental impact and opportunities for improvement. First, we introduce the topic, presenting estimated energy use and emissions. Then, we review proposed strategies for energy efficiency and conservation in data centers. Energy uses pertain to power distribution, ICT, and non-ICT equipment (e.g., cooling). Existing and prospected strategies and initiatives in these sectors are identified. Among key elements are innovative cooling techniques, natural resources, automation, low-power electronics, and equipment with extended thermal limits. Research perspectives are identified and estimates of improvement opportunities are mentioned. Finally, we present an overview on existing metrics, regulatory framework, and bodies concerned.

Suggested Citation

  • Matteo Manganelli & Alessandro Soldati & Luigi Martirano & Seeram Ramakrishna, 2021. "Strategies for Improving the Sustainability of Data Centers via Energy Mix, Energy Conservation, and Circular Energy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-25, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:6114-:d:564730
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/11/6114/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/11/6114/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Peter Howson, 2019. "Tackling climate change with blockchain," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 9(9), pages 644-645, September.
    2. Jin, Chaoqiang & Bai, Xuelian & Yang, Chao & Mao, Wangxin & Xu, Xin, 2020. "A review of power consumption models of servers in data centers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    3. Johannes Sedlmeir & Hans Ulrich Buhl & Gilbert Fridgen & Robert Keller, 2020. "The Energy Consumption of Blockchain Technology: Beyond Myth," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 62(6), pages 599-608, December.
    4. Ebrahimi, Khosrow & Jones, Gerard F. & Fleischer, Amy S., 2014. "A review of data center cooling technology, operating conditions and the corresponding low-grade waste heat recovery opportunities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 622-638.
    5. Li, Canbing & Zhou, Jinju & Cao, Yijia & Zhong, Jin & Liu, Yu & Kang, Chongqing & Tan, Yi, 2014. "Interaction between urban microclimate and electric air-conditioning energy consumption during high temperature season," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 149-156.
    6. Zimmermann, Severin & Meijer, Ingmar & Tiwari, Manish K. & Paredes, Stephan & Michel, Bruno & Poulikakos, Dimos, 2012. "Aquasar: A hot water cooled data center with direct energy reuse," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 43(1), pages 237-245.
    7. Nicola Jones, 2018. "How to stop data centres from gobbling up the world’s electricity," Nature, Nature, vol. 561(7722), pages 163-166, September.
    8. Camilo Mora & Randi L. Rollins & Katie Taladay & Michael B. Kantar & Mason K. Chock & Mio Shimada & Erik C. Franklin, 2018. "Bitcoin emissions alone could push global warming above 2°C," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 8(11), pages 931-933, November.
    9. Lars Dittmar & Aaron Praktiknjo, 2019. "Could Bitcoin emissions push global warming above 2 °C?," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 9(9), pages 656-657, September.
    10. Max J. Krause & Thabet Tolaymat, 2018. "Quantification of energy and carbon costs for mining cryptocurrencies," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 1(11), pages 711-718, November.
    11. Rong, Huigui & Zhang, Haomin & Xiao, Sheng & Li, Canbing & Hu, Chunhua, 2016. "Optimizing energy consumption for data centers," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 674-691.
    12. Lei, Nuoa & Masanet, Eric, 2020. "Statistical analysis for predicting location-specific data center PUE and its improvement potential," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
    13. Li, Jingming & Li, Nianping & Peng, Jinqing & Cui, Haijiao & Wu, Zhibin, 2019. "Energy consumption of cryptocurrency mining: A study of electricity consumption in mining cryptocurrencies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 160-168.
    14. Zhang, Hainan & Shao, Shuangquan & Xu, Hongbo & Zou, Huiming & Tian, Changqing, 2014. "Free cooling of data centers: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 171-182.
    15. Kim, Min-Hwi & Ham, Sang-Woo & Park, Jun-Seok & Jeong, Jae-Weon, 2014. "Impact of integrated hot water cooling and desiccant-assisted evaporative cooling systems on energy savings in a data center," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 384-396.
    16. Andoni, Merlinda & Robu, Valentin & Flynn, David & Abram, Simone & Geach, Dale & Jenkins, David & McCallum, Peter & Peacock, Andrew, 2019. "Blockchain technology in the energy sector: A systematic review of challenges and opportunities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 143-174.
    17. Anders S. G. Andrae & Tomas Edler, 2015. "On Global Electricity Usage of Communication Technology: Trends to 2030," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-41, April.
    18. Depoorter, Victor & Oró, Eduard & Salom, Jaume, 2015. "The location as an energy efficiency and renewable energy supply measure for data centres in Europe," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 338-349.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Bogdan Popa & Otilia Nedelcu & Florica Popa & Khalid Ahmad-Rashid & Eliza-Isabela Tică, 2021. "Small Hydropower Plant for Sustainable Electricity from RES Mix," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-14, November.
    2. Xiaoxiong Xie & Seeram Ramakrishna & Matteo Manganelli, 2022. "Smart Building Technologies in Response to COVID-19," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-23, July.
    3. Mariusz Duka & Marek Sikora & Artur Strzelecki, 2023. "From Web Catalogs to Google: A Retrospective Study of Web Search Engines Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, April.
    4. Mohamed Sameer Hoosain & Babu Sena Paul & Susanna Kass & Seeram Ramakrishna, 2023. "Tools Towards the Sustainability and Circularity of Data Centers," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    5. Beatriz Prieto & Juan José Escobar & Juan Carlos Gómez-López & Antonio F. Díaz & Thomas Lampert, 2022. "Energy Efficiency of Personal Computers: A Comparative Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-23, October.
    6. Xihao Wang & Xiaojun Wang & Yuqing Liu & Chun Xiao & Rongsheng Zhao & Ye Yang & Zhao Liu, 2022. "A Sustainability Improvement Strategy of Interconnected Data Centers Based on Dispatching Potential of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-19, June.
    7. Dawn Nafus & Eve M. Schooler & Karly Ann Burch, 2021. "Carbon-Responsive Computing: Changing the Nexus between Energy and Computing," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-26, October.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lei, Nuoa & Masanet, Eric & Koomey, Jonathan, 2021. "Best practices for analyzing the direct energy use of blockchain technology systems: Review and policy recommendations," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    2. Ye, Wang & Wong, Wing-Keung & Arnone, Gioia & Nassani, Abdelmohsen A. & Haffar, Mohamed & Faiz, Muhammad Fauzinudin, 2023. "Crypto currency and green investment impact on global environment: A time series analysis," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 155-169.
    3. Jerez Monsalves, Juan & Bergaentzlé, Claire & Keles, Dogan, 2023. "Impacts of flexible-cooling and waste-heat recovery from data centres on energy systems: A Danish case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).
    4. Chu, Wen-Xiao & Wang, Chi-Chuan, 2019. "A review on airflow management in data centers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 84-119.
    5. Wansheng Yang & Lin Yang & Junjie Ou & Zhongqi Lin & Xudong Zhao, 2019. "Investigation of Heat Management in High Thermal Density Communication Cabinet by a Rear Door Liquid Cooling System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-25, November.
    6. Anh Ngoc Quang Huynh & Duy Duong & Tobias Burggraf & Hien Thi Thu Luong & Nam Huu Bui, 2022. "Energy Consumption and Bitcoin Market," Asia-Pacific Financial Markets, Springer;Japanese Association of Financial Economics and Engineering, vol. 29(1), pages 79-93, March.
    7. Huang, Pei & Copertaro, Benedetta & Zhang, Xingxing & Shen, Jingchun & Löfgren, Isabelle & Rönnelid, Mats & Fahlen, Jan & Andersson, Dan & Svanfeldt, Mikael, 2020. "A review of data centers as prosumers in district energy systems: Renewable energy integration and waste heat reuse for district heating," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    8. Baur, Dirk G. & Oll, Josua, 2022. "Bitcoin investments and climate change: A financial and carbon intensity perspective," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 47(PA).
    9. Sergio Luis Náñez Alonso & Javier Jorge-Vázquez & Miguel Ángel Echarte Fernández & Ricardo Francisco Reier Forradellas, 2021. "Cryptocurrency Mining from an Economic and Environmental Perspective. Analysis of the Most and Least Sustainable Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-22, July.
    10. Sharif, Arshian & Brahim, Mariem & Dogan, Eyup & Tzeremes, Panayiotis, 2023. "Analysis of the spillover effects between green economy, clean and dirty cryptocurrencies," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    11. Agur, Itai & Lavayssière, Xavier & Villegas Bauer, Germán & Deodoro, Jose & Martinez Peria, Soledad & Sandri, Damiano & Tourpe, Hervé, 2023. "Lessons from crypto assets for the design of energy efficient digital currencies," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    12. Di Salvo, André L.A. & Agostinho, Feni & Almeida, Cecília M.V.B. & Giannetti, Biagio F., 2017. "Can cloud computing be labeled as “green”? Insights under an environmental accounting perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 514-526.
    13. Michael L. Polemis & Mike G. Tsionas, 2023. "The environmental consequences of blockchain technology: A Bayesian quantile cointegration analysis for Bitcoin," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(2), pages 1602-1621, April.
    14. Dorfleitner, Gregor & Muck, Franziska & Scheckenbach, Isabel, 2021. "Blockchain applications for climate protection: A global empirical investigation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    15. Zhao, Wenxuan & Li, Hangxin & Wang, Shengwei, 2022. "A comparative analysis on alternative air-conditioning systems for high-tech cleanrooms and their performance in different climate zones," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(PA).
    16. Mingbo Zheng & Gen-Fu Feng & Xinxin Zhao & Chun-Ping Chang, 2023. "The transaction behavior of cryptocurrency and electricity consumption," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 9(1), pages 1-18, December.
    17. Hector F. Calvo-Pardo & Tullio Mancini & Jose Olmo, 2022. "Machine Learning the Carbon Footprint of Bitcoin Mining," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-30, February.
    18. Yuan, Xiaolei & Liang, Yumin & Hu, Xinyi & Xu, Yizhe & Chen, Yongbao & Kosonen, Risto, 2023. "Waste heat recoveries in data centers: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    19. Li, Jian & Jurasz, Jakub & Li, Hailong & Tao, Wen-Quan & Duan, Yuanyuan & Yan, Jinyue, 2020. "A new indicator for a fair comparison on the energy performance of data centers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    20. Johannes Sedlmeir & Hans Ulrich Buhl & Gilbert Fridgen & Robert Keller, 2020. "The Energy Consumption of Blockchain Technology: Beyond Myth," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 62(6), pages 599-608, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:6114-:d:564730. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.