INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Data Centers
Digital Realty collaborates with Ecolab to pilot data center AIpowered water conservation solution
Pilot collaboration aims to enhance Digital Realty ’ s water use efficiency and minimise environmental impact . and minimising environmental impact . We ’ re excited about the potential of this solution to set a new standard in water conservation for data centres ," said Aaron Binkley , Vice President of Sustainability , Digital Realty .
Digital Realty is collaborating with Ecolab , a global leader in water , hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services , to deploy an AI-driven water conservation solution in 35 of its US data centres .
Implemented by Nalco Water – Ecolab ’ s water and process management business – the pilot aims to enhance Digital Realty ’ s water use efficiency and minimise environmental impact .
The digital service combines insights from Ecolab ’ s advanced automation and control technology with more than a century of Ecolab expertise to establish actionable water consumption benchmarks .
By contextualising the information through an AI / Machine Learning model and analysing the data , the solution identifies real-time operational inefficiencies in cooling systems and recommends actions for fast improvement .
Digital Realty , an early adopter and key collaborator on the solution ’ s development , was the first to pilot Ecolab ’ s AI-enabled technology . Once fully implemented , the solution is expected to drive up to a 15 % reduction in water use , extend equipment life and avoid the withdrawal of up to 126 million gallons of potable water from local watersheds annually .
“ Collaborating with Ecolab on this AI-driven water conservation initiative aligns with our goals of improving water use efficiency
Thes collaboration builds upon the long-standing relationship between Digital Realty and Ecolab , which spans nearly a decade and has resulted in the successful completion of 15 water conservation projects . During 2023 alone , Digital Realty ’ s and Ecolab ’ s solutions helped Digital Realty reduce the amount of water withdrawn from local watersheds by 5 % and avoid 986 metric tons of CO2 emissions , through restorative energy projects and water use reduction initiatives .
Additionally , the projects have reduced plastic waste disposal by 83 % through a chemical delivery service and solids chemistry programme .
“ AI is not just revolutionising business ; it ’ s also set to transform water and energy efficiency within the tech sector ,” said Emilio Tenuta , Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer , Ecolab .
The Ecolab solution pilot is part of Digital Realty ' s broader water conservation strategy , aimed at improving Water Usage Effectiveness ( WUE ) and reducing overall water consumption . In its recent 2023 ESG report , Digital Realty reported a 14 % reduction in water use intensity compared to the previous year , highlighting the company ' s ongoing commitment to innovation and minimising its environmental impact .
Digital Realty has also successfully implemented AI solutions in other areas of its operations , including the expansion of its Apollo AI energy efficiency platform to the APAC region . So far , this platform has identified the opportunity for approximately 18GWh of energy savings – equivalent to the annual energy usage of over 1,600 US households . p
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