New Analysis Predicts 170% Surge in Data Center Water Use by 2030 Amid AI Expansion
Exponential growth in demand for data over the last decade has driven a corresponding increase in the need for data centers to store, process, and manage digital information. The current AI boom is expected to further accelerate demand for this crucial infrastructure.
Water for cooling is critical to the operation of data centers to prevent overheating and ensure the efficient and reliable operation of many densely-packed servers. Demand for water at data centers varies significantly depending on their size, local climate, and cooling system. Water and energy availability are critical factors in selecting sites for data centers. For example, Google’s facility in The Dalles, Oregon, is strategically located to leverage local hydroelectric power and water availability. The data center accounts for over 25% of the local municipality’s water consumption. As the data center sector continues to expand there will likely be increased need for expertise in planning and acquiring local water resources for new data centers, particularly in water scarce regions such as the Western United States.
This market insider examines patterns data center water use, including the relationship between data center water consumption, energy consumption and square footage in order to forecast future data center water demand in the United States.