The relationship between data centers and the climate is a systems challenge: a spatial analysis of United States data centers

Abstract

Data centers are a rapidly growing infrastructure that support digital and artificial intelligence needs. However, their expansion has raised concerns about impact based on electricity and water usage. Beyond quantifying the impact of the data center on the environment, this study presents an energy-climate operational risk analysis of over 2,400 data centers in the United States, focusing on location-specific water and heat risks and the dependency of emissions on local energy mixes. Findings highlight that current framing around the sustainability and reliability of data center operations could benefit from systems approaches for a more holistic understanding. We find that many data centers are in regions with significant water stress and are exposed to heat waves. These operational risks, along with the emissions variability due to regional grid differences, underscore the need for sustainable and reliable future planning of data centers.