As technology continues to evolve in the blink of an eye, data centers stand as powerful engines empowering our fast-paced digital world. These infrastructures play a magnificent role in facilitating our insatiable appetite for online services, e-commerce, and virtual communication. While we enjoy the support and convenience the data centers offer, it is hard to overlook their environmental impact.
Given their voracious appetite for energy, the growth of data centers is creating a need for a sustainable view in an industry that underpins our technological evolution. The data center industry is urgently in need of sustainable solutions as it sees explosive growth.
Currently, data centers account for about 3% of global emissions, a startling number that cannot be disregarded in our shared effort to create a better future.
Data centers consumed an estimated 240-340 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity globally in 2022, accounting for around 1-1.3% of final electricity demand. Additionally, the massive volumes of water needed for their cooling systems put additional strain on already scarce water resources.
With escalating concerns about climate change, it has become urgent to address these challenges.
One of the ways by which data centers can markedly shrink their carbon footprints is by transitioning to solar, wind, and other clean energy alternatives. This paradigm shift has already been embraced by companies like Google and Apple, serving as an example of an achievable dream of a greener future. Intriguingly, the green data center market is projected to burgeon by over 14% annually until 2032. The demand for a more sustainable data center industry has never been stronger.
Khazna has emerged as a trailblazer to this trend, enhancing the region's digital infrastructure while promoting sustainability.
Khazna’s strategic initiatives are driving the transition to renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on conventional energy and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
We have implemented initiatives that align with our ‘Future First Strategy’ - our commitment to sustainability by actively investing in renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, to power our data center operations and reduce reliance on conventional energy sources. We are also gradually shifting from diesel fuel to biofuel alternatives, which are derived from renewable sources and release less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to conventional fossil fuels.
Khazna is also incorporating innovative cooling methods to optimize energy use and reduce power consumption. Adiabatic-free cooling chillers, which are designed to ensure cooling efficiency during harsh temperatures and environmental conditions, offer significant energy savings, higher capacity, and minimal noise while operating.
In addition to renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, our approach to sustainability involves implementing responsible waste disposal and recycling to minimize the environmental impact of our operations. At Khazna, we are also pursuing green certifications and accreditations to showcase our dedication to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices.
Our modular approach is a key USP as it allows for the scaling of infrastructure based on demand and operational resources. With these modular designs enhancing energy efficiency, Khazna ensures that resources are utilized efficiently to avoid unnecessary energy consumption and the maintenance of underutilized equipment. Khazna's modular energy-efficient designs also maintain high levels of redundancy and resilience, which enhance uptime and reduce the risk of downtime, while streamlining power distribution that ensures an efficient flow of electricity to all critical components.
Industry collaboration is a key aspect of Khazna’s operations. Locally, we have partnered with Emerge, a joint venture between EDF and Masdar, to develop a solar photovoltaic plant for Khazna’s data center in Masdar City. We have also teamed up with BEEAH Digital, where we will design, build, and operate the first-Tier III data center in Sharjah. The facility will provide reliable and efficient data infrastructure for businesses in the Emirate by minimizing maintenance costs and energy consumption, as well as optimizing uptime.
In the midst of advancements, like Artificial Intelligence (AI) machine learning (ML) Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud storage, the journey towards sustainability in data centers presents itself as a web of interconnected efforts. The industry is experiencing a transformation embracing energy integration modular designs, intelligent cooling systems, and collaborative partnerships. The Khazna initiative serves as an example that proves a data center industry is not just a hope, but a reality shaped by technological expertise, thinking leadership, and a shared dedication to building a sustainable future.