The environmental impact of data centers: Understanding WUE

Several indicators can be used in conjunction with PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) for a more accurate energy assessment of a data center.

Several indicators can be used in conjunction with PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) for a more accurate energy assessment of a data center.

While PUE focuses on electrical energy consumption, WUE looks at water use in the data center, an equally crucial aspect, especially for cooling IT equipment. It is calculated by dividing the amount of water used for cooling by the amount of energy used by the servers. WUE ratios are expressed in liters of water per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electrical energy consumed. The lower the WUE, the more efficient the data center is in using water to maintain an adequate temperature inside its premises.

While PUE focuses on electrical energy consumption, WUE looks at water use in the data center, an equally crucial aspect, especially for cooling IT equipment. It is calculated by dividing the amount of water used for cooling by the amount of energy used by the servers. WUE ratios are expressed in liters of water per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electrical energy consumed. The lower the WUE, the more efficient the data center is in using water to maintain an adequate temperature inside its premises.

Many data centers rely on cooling systems to prevent servers and equipment from overheating, which can require significant quantities of water. Poor management of this resource can have a major environmental impact, especially when water becomes a scarce and precious resource.

Many data centers rely on cooling systems to prevent servers and equipment from overheating, which can require significant quantities of water. Poor management of this resource can have a major environmental impact, especially when water becomes a scarce and precious resource.

There are several ways to reduce WUE:

There are several ways to reduce WUE:

A crucial aspect of reducing WUE is continuous monitoring of cooling systems and water use. This enables inefficiencies to be identified and corrective action taken to optimize water use.

A crucial aspect of reducing WUE is continuous monitoring of cooling systems and water use. This enables inefficiencies to be identified and corrective action taken to optimize water use.

According to a report by the US Department of Energy, the WUE of the average data center in the USA is 1.8 liters per 1 kWh. This means that for every kilowatt-hour of electrical energy consumed by IT equipment in a data center, 1.8 liters of water are used for cooling. Data centers with low water consumption would have a WUE of 0.2 L/kWh, equivalent to one glass of water for every kilowatt-hour delivered to the servers.

In recent years, according to Alliancy :

According to a report by the US Department of Energy, the WUE of the average data center in the USA is 1.8 liters per 1 kWh. This means that for every kilowatt-hour of electrical energy consumed by IT equipment in a data center, 1.8 liters of water are used for cooling. Data centers with low water consumption would have a WUE of 0.2 L/kWh, equivalent to one glass of water for every kilowatt-hour delivered to the servers.

In recent years, according to Alliancy :

It's important to note that WUE, like PUE, should not be looked at in isolation. In combination with other indicators, it offers a holistic view of a data center's energy and environmental efficiency.

It's important to note that WUE, like PUE, should not be looked at in isolation. In combination with other indicators, it offers a holistic view of a data center's energy and environmental efficiency.

Choosing a data center located in a low-carbon footprint region, such as France, can also help reduce the overall environmental impact of Cloud services. By supporting data centers powered by renewable energy sources and adopting sustainable practices, businesses and users can play a key role in reducing the carbon footprint of the data center industry.

Choosing a data center located in a low-carbon footprint region, such as France, can also help reduce the overall environmental impact of Cloud services. By supporting data centers powered by renewable energy sources and adopting sustainable practices, businesses and users can play a key role in reducing the carbon footprint of the data center industry.

Aqua Ray aims for carbon neutrality. In our article, we announced an efficient PUE of < 1.39 for our data center in 2022. In terms of WUE, we're on a high level of efficiency since we don't use water to cool our computer rooms.

Aqua Ray aims for carbon neutrality. In our article, we announced an efficient PUE of < 1.39 for our data center in 2022. In terms of WUE, we're on a high level of efficiency since we don't use water to cool our computer rooms.

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Any question ? A doubt ? A particular request ? Do not hesitate to contact us by clicking on this button below, we will answer you as quickly as possible.