Forget Climate Change: Data Centers Are Raising Neighborhood Temps
The rapid growth of data centers is driving localized artificial heat waves. A landmark study published in the Journal of Engineering for Sustainable Buildings and Cities has revealed that such facilities can raise ambient air temperatures in nearby neighborhoods by up to 4 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius), increasing the risks of urban heat islands.
In said study, researchers from Arizona State University investigated the thermal footprint of two large-scale operations in the tech hub cities of Mesa and Chandler, Arizona. The researchers attached high-precision, rapid-response air temperature sensors to vehicles, driving them through surrounding communities from June through October. By tracking real-time geographic and atmospheric conditions, the team discovered that data centers act as immense thermal engines. A single facility can generate more waste heat than the electrical consumption of 40,000 households combined.
This localized warming stems from how these data centers stay cool, whereby they utilize expansive air-cooled...
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