Globally, data volumes are rising and data centers consume more and more energy. At the same time, the impact of climate change is making itself felt. In order to do its part for more environmental protection, the industry urgently needs to switch to renewable energies.
Along with energy efficiency, using renewable energies is one of the key pillars of a sustainability strategy aimed at environmental protection. In 2022, renewable energies delivered as much as 47 per cent of electricity consumed in Germany. The larger part was accounted for by wind and solar energy. However, we still have a long way to go to achieving the German government’s goal of 80 per cent renewable energies by 2030. Energy-intensive industries especially are therefore called upon to save energy and to push ahead with the expansion of renewable energies in order to achieve the government’s climate targets, and contribute to combating climate change.
More data and rising electricity consumption
Data centers are among the largest electricity gobblers. Globally, their energy consumption in 2021 was between 500 and 650 terawatt hours. This is roughly the equivalent of Germany’s entire consumption. German data centers alone consume some 16-billion-kilowatt hours of electricity, the equivalent of Berlin’s annual electricity consumption. By 2025, experts anticipate a further rise in the global use of data to 175 zettabytes, by 2032 the capacity of German data centers will double again compared to today. More data and higher capacities also mean more electricity consumption.
Data centers are one of the greatest challenges on the road to climate neutrality, environmental protection, and husbanding resources. On the one hand, they need large quantities of electricity, on the other, they are crucial to the success of digitalization, and through innovative solutions, to contributing to the fight against climate change. Increasing efficiency can results in savings, and switching to regenerative energies is an urgent concern of data center operators. For example, Google plans to convert its server farms entirely to green power by 2030.
Synaforce well on the way to zero carbon
Synaforce has already achieved this goal with its modern, award-winning data centers. Since 1 January 2023, the data center at Hofkirchen has been exclusively powered by electricity from renewable sources. Twenty-five per cent of its consumption is accounted for by the on-premises solar plant on the roof of the server building. Synaforce is doing its part and is coming a crucial step closer to the goal of zero carbon, thus clearly emphasizing its commitment to the climate. The measures are part of the company’s overall strategy to combine comprehensive 360-degree services and innovative solutions for individual corporate requirements with sustainability and environmental protection.
