randzy Fate Mondy October 20, 2024 0 Comments

Data centers can be used as residual energy generators, as researchers generate 500 MWh per year from DC alone by recycling wind waste.

The problem of powering energy-hungry artificial intelligence data centers is a growing concern for companies such as Microsoft and Oracle, which are exploring options such as nuclear power, but now researchers from the Distance University of Madrid (UDIMA) in Spain and the Mision Critica Data Center in Bogota and Colombia approached the energy issue differently.

Instead of focusing on powering data centers, they are studying how these facilities can generate their own electricity using the airflow created by cooling fans, effectively turning waste wind into a source of renewable energy.

HVAC systems, common in data centers, exhaust warm air outside, creating a constant, untapped wind resource that can be converted into electricity. In a study of a Colombian data center, researchers used Tesup V7 vertical axis wind turbines to capture artificial waste wind. Chiller-mounted turbines were chosen because they minimized size and weight while maximizing power generation.

Application of the method in other industries

The gross electricity generated annually by the six wind turbines was 513.82 MWh from the artificial air flow, which exceeds the energy consumption of the plant’s fans and provides a surplus of 131.2 MWh. The authors suggest that this recycled energy could be used for other electrical needs in the data center or fed into the electrical grid.

Research published in the journal Scientific reportsalso emphasized the economic and environmental benefits. Positive cash flow is achieved by the third year with an impressive IRR of 50.69%. From an environmental point of view, the system reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 300 tons per year.

The authors say this approach not only offers a sustainable energy solution, but also aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals, promoting clean energy and climate action. The possibility of applying this method to other industries with similar air flows could have a significant impact on global energy consumption, they say.

“By adopting proactive policies and encouraging innovation, we can significantly reduce our environmental impact, save energy and move towards a more sustainable world for future generations,” the report concludes.