Data Center Cooling and Water Use

Almost every watt a server uses turns into heat, and cooling is usually the largest load at a data center after the IT equipment itself. The cooling design also decides how much water a site uses. Traditional air cooling moves air through computer room air handlers and chillers. Higher rack densities are pushing operators toward liquid cooling, either cold plates on the chips fed by coolant distribution units, or immersion tanks. Evaporative systems save energy but consume water; dry coolers and closed loops save water but use more energy on hot days.