As everyone knows, with the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, electricity consumption has always been a focal point of industry discussions. However, what is less frequently mentioned is that the water consumption of data centers is also rising at an alarming rate, putting the sustainability goals of many tech companies at risk.
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Records obtained by the Financial Times show that since 2019, the water consumption of IT infrastructure in Virginia's "Data Center Alley" has surged by nearly two-thirds.
Particularly in 2023, the water consumption of IT infrastructure in this region exceeded 7 billion liters, a significant increase of nearly 64% compared to 2019. This data center hub houses a large number of servers, handling 70% of the world's internet traffic, with daily water consumption being truly staggering.
So, why is the water consumption of data centers so high? Firstly, cooling systems are a major water consumer. As temperatures rise, servers require a significant amount of water for cooling to maintain normal operations. Moreover, regular water washing and maintenance are essential to keep the equipment clean and efficient. These factors together have led to the continuous rise in water consumption by data centers.
In today's fast-paced development of AI technology, the expansion of data centers has become a trend. Behind this phenomenon are both market demand and competition among major tech companies. Everyone is racing to deploy their cloud computing and AI infrastructure to secure a place in the future market.
However, the issue of water waste is gradually becoming more severe. Faced with this reality, tech companies are forced to reconsider their water usage strategies, exploring how to more reasonably utilize water resources while ensuring service quality.
Key Points:
💧 Data center water consumption has surged, reaching 7 billion liters in 2023, a nearly 64% increase from 2019.
🌐 Virginia's "Data Center Alley" handles 70% of the world's internet traffic daily, and the water consumption issue needs urgent attention!
🌱 The expansion of AI technology intensifies water resource pressure, prompting tech companies to re-evaluate their water usage strategies for sustainable development!