The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has launched an innovative geothermal storage project aimed at reducing the growing energy demands of data center cooling systems. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Office, the project leverages underground thermal energy storage (UTES) technology to enhance the efficiency of cooling operations at data center facilities nationwide.
The Energy Demands of Traditional Data Center Cooling Systems
Data centers are notorious for their substantial energy consumption, with cooling systems accounting for nearly 40% of their total energy use. Traditional cooling methods, including air and liquid cooling systems, are energy-intensive and often result in high operational costs, particularly during peak demand periods. These systems require significant resources to maintain optimal temperatures for servers, contributing to the overall environmental and economic footprint of data center operations.
Geothermal Solutions: A Sustainable Alternative for Cooling
The Cold Underground Thermal Energy Storage (Cold UTES) system presents a promising alternative to traditional cooling solutions. Cold UTES utilizes off-peak power to generate cold energy reserves stored underground. These reserves can then be deployed during peak grid demand times, reducing the strain on both the local energy grid and the data center’s cooling system. By optimizing the timing of energy usage, Cold UTES helps lower cooling costs and supports grid stability.
How Cold UTES Technology Works
Cold UTES operates similarly to conventional battery systems in that it uses charge/discharge cycles to optimize energy use. However, instead of storing electrical energy, Cold UTES stores thermal energy in the form of cold temperatures within underground reservoirs. During off-peak hours, excess power from the grid is used to cool a thermal storage medium, which can later be tapped into during periods of high energy demand. This solution is capable of providing both short-term and long-duration energy storage, making it particularly well-suited for data center cooling requirements.
NREL’s Jeff Winick, Technology Manager at the DOE’s Geothermal Technologies Office, emphasized the system’s potential to deliver industrial-scale cooling in a commercially viable and environmentally sustainable manner. He stated, “Our expectation is that a Cold UTES system can provide a long-duration energy storage and industrial-scale cooling solution that is commercially attractive and technically viable for data centers.”
Key Benefits of the Cold UTES System
- Reduced Energy Consumption: By shifting cooling energy demands to off-peak times, data centers can significantly cut energy costs and reduce overall consumption.
- Grid Support: The system’s ability to store and release cold energy during peak hours helps alleviate pressure on the electricity grid, particularly during times of high demand.
- Cost Savings: Data center operators can save on cooling system expenses, making it a cost-effective solution for large-scale facilities.
Collaborative Efforts and Technological Innovation
NREL’s Cold UTES project is a collaborative effort involving experts from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Princeton University, and the University of Chicago. Guangdong Zhu, Senior Researcher at NREL’s Center for Energy Conversion and Storage Systems, serves as the principal investigator for the project. This team aims to validate the technical feasibility and commercial potential of Cold UTES for large-scale data center applications.
The project is expected to offer significant insights into the scalability of geothermal energy storage technologies and their potential for reducing energy costs across the data center industry. The development of Cold UTES aligns with broader global efforts to harness renewable energy sources and reduce carbon footprints in critical infrastructure sectors.
Global Perspectives: Similar Geothermal Cooling Projects
While the NREL project marks a significant step forward for U.S. data centers, similar efforts are underway internationally. In Australia, the CSIRO Geothermal Project at the Pawsey Centre in Perth uses a shallow aquifer to cool supercomputers. The system is projected to save approximately 14.5 million liters of water in the first two years of operation, demonstrating the environmental and operational advantages of geothermal cooling systems.
FAQ Section
1. What is Cold UTES, and how does it help data centers?
Cold Underground Thermal Energy Storage (Cold UTES) is a system that uses off-peak electricity to create cold energy reserves stored underground. These reserves can be used during peak grid demand to reduce energy consumption and cooling costs for data centers.
2. How does Cold UTES compare to traditional cooling systems?
Traditional cooling systems rely on air or liquid cooling methods, which account for a significant portion of a data center’s energy use. Cold UTES, on the other hand, stores thermal energy underground and uses it as needed, optimizing energy consumption and reducing grid strain.
3. What are the benefits of geothermal energy for data centers?
Geothermal energy offers a sustainable, cost-effective solution for cooling data centers. By using Cold UTES, data centers can reduce energy costs, support grid stability, and minimize their environmental impact.
4. How can Cold UTES systems reduce operational costs for data centers?
Cold UTES helps data centers shift cooling energy consumption to off-peak hours, lowering energy costs. Additionally, it reduces the need for traditional cooling equipment, which can lead to long-term savings.
5. Are there other projects like this outside of the U.S.?
Yes, similar geothermal cooling projects are underway in other countries, such as the CSIRO Geothermal Project in Australia, which uses shallow aquifers to cool supercomputers and save water.