Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a divisive subject. On one hand, it is hailed as a saviour to make all our lives easier; on the other hand, it is condemned for taking away jobs, critical thinking and creativity.
Whichever camp you are in, the growth of AI will have a very real, tangible impact on lives. Some of this impact will be felt in the physical building of more data centres in the UK.
These large sites hold servers that process huge quantities of data, not only for AI but for cloud computing and storage. Almost everything data-related will at some point pass through a data centre filled with rows and rows of computer servers.
Data centres consume a huge amount of electricity and water to be able to cope with the increasing demands of technology and societal needs. A one megawatt data centre can use the same electricity as 1,000 homes and almost 26 million litres of water each year.
Both water and electricity use in data centres are areas of growing concern for water industry leaders, environmental advocates and the general public.
What do data centres use water for?
One of the main issues with servers is that with all of the electronic components working hard, they get very hot. A home or office computer might use a fan to cool it, but these are inefficient on such a large scale.
Although there are several methods used to cool server banks, one of the most common is to use water. A refrigerant liquid is used to carry heat away from the servers into a condenser, which is used to transfer the heat to water.
The water evaporates as it heats up and is released into the atmosphere via a cooling tower. However, this means the water is lost and cannot be recouped except through natural rainwater cycles.
Data centres also use water in massive quantities in a secondary way, as it is a vital element of electricity generation. In fossil fuel and nuclear power plants, steam is generated to push turbines, and then much of it is lost to the atmosphere.
How much water do data centres use?
According to a report by techUK, Understanding Data Centre Water Use in England, key findings suggest that data centres use less water than expected.
The report collates survey responses from 73 commercial data centre operators on their water use. Its key findings suggest that 51 per cent of centres do not use water for cooling but use air or refrigeration instead.
Of those that do use water in cooling systems, 64 per cent have annual use less than that of a leisure centre. The report suggests that data centres are minimising water use; however, they still consume almost £10 billion litres of potable water each year.
Government plans to encourage and support investment in AI mean that these numbers will rise significantly. Rapid expansion in AI data centres could see demand for water for cooling increase 20-fold.
Some estimates put data centre water usage at 1,200 billion litres a year by 2030, a figure not included in the government’s water estimates.
Will more data centres mean less water for other businesses?
Concern has been voiced by Water UK, which represents water companies, about shortfalls in drinking water supply because of the increase in data centres.
Estimates suggest that the UK will be unable to keep up with domestic and industrial water demands, with an expected shortage of five billion litres a day by 2055.
However, the trade body is concerned that the plans for more data centres have not been factored into these figures. The mapping of future water consumption is based on household consumption and is a per-capita figure.
Added to that is the planned building of new data centres in areas of the UK that are already water-stressed and subject to restrictions such as hosepipe bans.
Businesses and commercial endeavours that also rely on drinking water to operate might find themselves subject to a future shortage, resulting in interruptions to supply that impact businesses.
Water companies that supply businesses with this essential utility have to create a Water Resources Management Plan. This statutory document lays out how they will work to achieve a reliable and sustainable water supply.
Included in these are plans for reducing leaks, improving demand management and investing in new sources and treatment facilities.
One way to give businesses peace of mind is by switching their business water supplier to a retailer with a strong focus on water efficiency, the environment and water infrastructure.
For larger businesses using water, companies can provide additional services to help reduce water consumption and improve efficiency, while still getting the best rates.
