Intelligent Data Centres Issue 75 | Page 19

EFFICIENCY FIRST AND FOREMOST SHOULD BE THE PRESSING CHALLENGE WE ARE LOOKING TO SOLVE.

D A T A C E N T R E P R E D I C T I O N S

ver the last decade,

O hydrogen has been touted as the solution to our data centre energy demands. Its supporters highlight the benefits as a sustainable fuel source presenting a straightforward path towards accessible energy with low-carbon emissions. It would enable us to not only maintain our current energy consumption levels but expand them – something vital with the prevalence of AI and high-performance culture.

Hydrogen is a powerful fuel source. Its applications to specific use cases will change industries. However, it should not be seen as the universal solution – which many in the industry are deeming it to be. For hydrogen as a fuel source to succeed, we need to challenge it and acknowledge its challenges. While a new powerful fuel source will help solve our energy demand, it doesn’ t fix the root cause. By far, the most effective way to reduce our energy waste and achieve net zero carbon in the data centre industry is to reduce our demand and look at‘ re-use’ first.
Why is hydrogen hyped?

HYDROGEN WILL NOT SOLVE OUR DATA CENTRES’ ENERGY DEMANDS

Andrew Moore, Partner at Cundall, discusses the pros and cons of hydrogen solutions and their role in solving data centre energy demands.
It’ s easy to see why hydrogen has garnered a hype. Data centre operators

EFFICIENCY FIRST AND FOREMOST SHOULD BE THE PRESSING CHALLENGE WE ARE LOOKING TO SOLVE.
are struggling to manage ambitious sustainability goals and hydrogen can be a powerful, low-carbon source for energy. Despite this, seeing hydrogen as a‘ drop-in replacement’ for our current energy sources tends to overlook efficiency. Efficiency first and foremost
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