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environmental

environmental

Globally, data centers use about 200 TWh (terawatt hours) of electricity and generate 3.5% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions every year, and use about 3-5 million gallons of water a day [1]. In the US, data centers generate 2% of the nation’s GHG emissions annually.

LightEdge operates 12 data centers across the US, and we recognize our role in reducing overall emissions. That’s why we are committed to minimizing our environmental footprint through sustainable infrastructure and energy efficiency efforts.

[1] https://8billiontrees.com/carbon-offsets-credits/carbon-ecological-footprint-calculators/carbon-footprint-of-data-centers/#:~:text=Data%20 centers%20are%20power%20 guzzlers,emission%20than%20some%20nation%2Dstates

  • Energy Efficiency

    Our data centers achieve a weighted total of 1.54 PUE, which is consistently lower than the industry average of 1.6-1.75 PUE. Some of our data centers are seeing 1.3 PUE. We continuously monitor and improve our energy efficiency, with the aim to achieve a weighted total of 1.45 PUE by 2025.

    To optimize cooling and energy efficiency, we employ sustainable solutions such as cold aisle containment, advanced cooling systems, building management systems, motion sensor lighting, and equipment upgrades. Our underground data centers in Kansas and Missouri use geothermal cooling, which reduces energy consumption by maintaining a naturally cooling temperature of 65°F.

  • Renewable Energy

    To decarbonize our operational carbon footprint, we are evaluating opportunities to procure direct renewables in certain markets. In addition, utility providers in our markets are increasingly adopting renewable energy, which inherently benefits our carbon footprint.

    For example:

    • In Iowa, where we have two data centers in Des Moines, MidAmerican Energy Company generates 7,300 megawatts (MW) from wind energy and 141 MW from its new solar array, which was activated in 2022.
    • In Kansas, where we have an underground data center in Kansas City, Evergy generates more than 4,400 MW from wind energy and plans to add more than 3,300 MW of renewable energy while retiring more than 1,900 MW of coal-based fossil generation by 2035.
    • In San Diego, where we have two data centers, about 59% of SDGE’s electricity already comes from renewable sources.
      For customers with enterprise sustainability goals, we offer solutions – such as purchasing renewable energy certificates (RECs) – to cover their energy usage at our data centers.

  • Water Conservation

    Our two underground data centers in Kansas and Missouri use geothermal cooling, which eliminates the need for water-intensive cooling towers often required for surface-level data centers.This advantage allows us to contribute to water conservation efforts by avoiding the use of thousands of gallons of water annually.

  • Waste Management

    We minimize waste through responsible disposal, diverting, and recycling initiatives. We strive to recycle everything that leaves our facilities, from paper to electronic products. We’ve also installed water filtration systems at our facilities to reduce single-use plastic bottles.

    Our waste reduction efforts include partnerships with trusted industry organizations. We collaborate with Synetic Technologies to host an annual Earth Day Recycling Event, which gives us and our customers a way to safely, responsibly dispose of IT equipment. We also work with Circular Computing to support our industry’s circular economy efforts through an equipment refurbishment program.

Energy Efficiency

Our data centers achieve a weighted total of 1.54 PUE, which is consistently lower than the industry average of 1.6-1.75 PUE. Some of our data centers are seeing 1.3 PUE. We continuously monitor and improve our energy efficiency, with the aim to achieve a weighted total of 1.45 PUE by 2025.

To optimize cooling and energy efficiency, we employ sustainable solutions such as cold aisle containment, advanced cooling systems, building management systems, motion sensor lighting, and equipment upgrades. Our underground data centers in Kansas and Missouri use geothermal cooling, which reduces energy consumption by maintaining a naturally cooling temperature of 65°F.

Renewable Energy

To decarbonize our operational carbon footprint, we are evaluating opportunities to procure direct renewables in certain markets. In addition, utility providers in our markets are increasingly adopting renewable energy, which inherently benefits our carbon footprint.

For example:

  • In Iowa, where we have two data centers in Des Moines, MidAmerican Energy Company generates 7,300 megawatts (MW) from wind energy and 141 MW from its new solar array, which was activated in 2022.
  • In Kansas, where we have an underground data center in Kansas City, Evergy generates more than 4,400 MW from wind energy and plans to add more than 3,300 MW of renewable energy while retiring more than 1,900 MW of coal-based fossil generation by 2035.
  • In San Diego, where we have two data centers, about 59% of SDGE’s electricity already comes from renewable sources.
    For customers with enterprise sustainability goals, we offer solutions – such as purchasing renewable energy certificates (RECs) – to cover their energy usage at our data centers.

Water Conservation

Our two underground data centers in Kansas and Missouri use geothermal cooling, which eliminates the need for water-intensive cooling towers often required for surface-level data centers.This advantage allows us to contribute to water conservation efforts by avoiding the use of thousands of gallons of water annually.

Waste Management

We minimize waste through responsible disposal, diverting, and recycling initiatives. We strive to recycle everything that leaves our facilities, from paper to electronic products. We’ve also installed water filtration systems at our facilities to reduce single-use plastic bottles.

Our waste reduction efforts include partnerships with trusted industry organizations. We collaborate with Synetic Technologies to host an annual Earth Day Recycling Event, which gives us and our customers a way to safely, responsibly dispose of IT equipment. We also work with Circular Computing to support our industry’s circular economy efforts through an equipment refurbishment program.

Energy Efficiency

Our data centers achieve a weighted total of 1.54 PUE, which is consistently lower than the industry average of 1.6-1.75 PUE. Some of our data centers are seeing 1.3 PUE. We continuously monitor and improve our energy efficiency, with the aim to achieve a weighted total of 1.45 PUE by 2025.

To optimize cooling and energy efficiency, we employ sustainable solutions such as cold aisle containment, advanced cooling systems, building management systems, motion sensor lighting, and equipment upgrades. Our underground data centers in Kansas and Missouri use geothermal cooling, which reduces energy consumption by maintaining a naturally cooling temperature of 65°F.

Waste Management

We minimize waste through responsible disposal, diverting, and recycling initiatives. We strive to recycle everything that leaves our facilities, from paper to electronic products. We’ve also installed water filtration systems at our facilities to reduce single-use plastic bottles. Our waste reduction efforts include partnerships with trusted industry organizations. We collaborate with Synetic Technologies to host an annual Earth Day Recycling Event, which gives us and our customers a way to safely, responsibly dispose of IT equipment. We also work with Circular Computing to support our industry’s circular economy efforts through an equipment refurbishment program.

Water Conservation

Our two underground data centers in Kansas and Missouri use geothermal cooling, which eliminates the need for water-intensive cooling towers often required for surface-level data centers. This advantage allows us to contribute to water conservation efforts by avoiding the use of thousands of gallons of water annually.

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