Sustainability has become a ubiquitous adjective associated with data centers. The sustainable modifier is good as it goes, but the multifaceted nature of the concept is rarely discussed. While using green energy to reduce CO2 emissions and developing cooling alternatives to reduce or eliminate water usage are definitely part of the sustainability equation, they aren’t the only components in a comprehensive green strategy. How facilities are designed and built have substantial impact on how data centers integrate with the environment. In a sense, they provide the foundation for delivering comprehensive sustainable facilities.
So, how can data capacity be created in a responsible way? At Compass Datacenters, we’ve adopted a “back to the basics” strategy centered on reduce, reuse, and recycle to deliver facilities with a sustainable infrastructure.
“By taking the time to think about design and construction from both an operations and after-usage perspective, we can develop a more comprehensive approach to developing sustainable mission critical facilities.”
There’s a huge opportunity for mission critical structures to be designed for disassembly. Planning for disassembly and reuse to reduce waste and keep the building and the component parts in service minimizes energy consumption and waste down the line. This practice stands to significantly minimize, if not eliminate, the need for building demolition, allowing materials to be easily and cost-effectively taken apart and directed to a future application. The following are key to making this strategy practical.
As an industry, we jumped on the operations aspects of sustainability. We are having a real, felt impact on renewable power generation and making strides in water conservation. By taking the time to think about design and construction from both an operations and after-usage perspective, we can develop a more comprehensive approach to developing sustainable mission critical facilities.