In the past four decades, the global average temperature has gone up by 1ºC, and unless greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are curtailed, the temperature rise can go up by another 1.5ºC in the next 10 years, causing catastrophic environmental impact. Note that the COP has a target to limit global temperature rise to less than 2ºC to have a sustainable future.

Sadly, GHG emissions have been increasing and stand at 50B Tonnes of CO2 equivalent globally, creating a big question on Earth’s sustainability. Some experts opine that a 4ºC temperature rise will take us to the point of no return.

India is the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, accounting for over four billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent GHG emissions, accounting for seven percent of emissions. Through COP26, India has committed to be net zero by 2070 and have 500 GW of non-fossil fuel generation by 2030, with 50 percent of energy requirement coming from renewable sources by 2030, the reality is it’s far off from these targets. As of today, Coal-fired power generation contributes over 68 percent of electricity and is the single biggest contributor to GHG emissions.

Context for data centers

India accounts for 20 percent of worldwide data production but has only three percent of its data center capacity. Driven by the digital economy, AI and cryptomining data center demand is growing. Between 2024 and 2026, data center capacity in India will double from one GW to two GW, and by 2030, it’s expected to reach 17 GW, consuming about eight percent of energy. It’s imperative that as a major consumer of energy, we need to bring efficiency in data centers, thereby reducing carbon intensity, using green fuel, and, most importantly, 100 percent of our energy through renewable energy resources.

Realizing the need to have a sustainable approach, CtrlS, as a frontrunner in the Indian data center industry, has taken up a multi-pronged approach that includes working towards a 100 percent renewable energy goal, achieving industry-lowest PUE, using advanced cooling systems, improving energy efficiency, implementing water conservation measures, on its path to net-zero by 2040, 30 years ahead of India’s commitment to be net-zero.

Why are data centers big carbon emitters?

Data centers require continuous power to run servers, cooling systems, and backup equipment. This energy is often sourced from non-renewable sources such as coal and natural gas, making these facilities significant contributors to carbon emissions. According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), global datacenters consumed around 460 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity in 2022, and they will likely consume 1000 TWh by 2026. If not addressed, this growth could significantly impact global carbon reduction targets.

Evolving strategies for greener data centers in India

Harnessing power for clean energy

Renewable energy technologies are evolving with higher efficiency and lower cost. The primary sources of renewable energy in India today are solar, wind, and hydropower. Recently, advancements in battery storage technology have made them affordable, and ‘green hydrogen’ could be the next thing.

CtrlS will invest 1000 MW by 2030 in variable renewable energy resources that can further be augmented with battery storage or other energy storage techniques to provide nearly 100 percent renewable energy to its data centers. We have already invested in a 100 MW solar project in Maharashtra and entered into long-term power purchase agreements in Karnataka and Noida to supply renewable energy to our data centers.

Focusing on green buildings

Green Building Council provides certification based on sustainability parameters such as reduction in energy and water consumption, improved air quality, and safety standards. CtrlS has a strong in-house design team that works on the latest technologies, such as liquid cooling, well-ventilated design, and water conservation techniques. As a result, our Mumbai data center is the world's first LEED platinum-certified data center, and all our data centers are platinum or gold-certified today.

Optimizing energy efficiency with advanced technologies

Data centers need to use advanced technologies to optimize cooling systems by analyzing patterns in energy usage and adjusting temperatures accordingly. Identifying opportunities to reduce energy consumption during periods of lower data activity can further minimize waste. CtrlS believes in sustainable development, and hence, we have always focused on energy conservation and improving efficiency. We have made an annual saving of 18.5 GWh through energy conservation and eliminated nearly 2,25,000 metric tons of CO2.

Water recycling for cooling systems

According to Energy Efficiency Guidelines by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), cooling systems in data centers are responsible for around 40 percent of the total energy consumption. To address both energy and water waste, data centers are adopting water recycling processes. This involves using advanced techniques to recycle wastewater, minimizing the need for freshwater and reducing the environmental burden.

CtrlS has already recycled nearly 10 million liters of water and is committed to reducing its water usage further by implementing advanced water recycling technologies. This initiative will not only reduce water consumption but will also help maintain operational efficiency by reusing water for critical cooling processes.

Conclusion

As India continues to expand its data center infrastructure, it must prioritize sustainability to meet both national and global climate targets.

Data centers are the necessity of an increasingly digital India, and hence, by integrating sustainable measures to reduce carbon emissions, datacenters can be pivotal in nation-building, both economically and environmentally. We believe with the right mix of policies, technologies, and innovation, India can build a sustainable digital future without compromising its environmental commitments.