How data centers raise the temperature in Phoenix
A new study by Arizona State University researchers found that data centers in the Phoenix metro area can increase local air temperatures by up to 4 degrees Fahrenheit, contributing to heat pollution in downwind neighborhoods. The study, which directly measured air temperatures around data centers, highlights the substantial heat emissions from these facilities and their potential impact on urban heat islands, especially in regions already prone to extreme heat. Researchers are seeking to collaborate with industry and city planners to develop solutions to mitigate this heat hazard.
Researchers at Arizona State University have released a new study detailing how data centers in the Phoenix metro area contribute to heat pollution, potentially raising downwind neighborhood temperatures by as much as 4 degrees Fahrenheit. This study, led by David Sailor, director of ASU's School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, is the first to directly measure real-time air temperature impacts from data center waste heat.
The findings, published in the Journal of Engineering for Sustainable Buildings and Cities, indicate that the waste heat from a single data center can exceed that of 40,000 households. This is due to air-cooled condenser arrays discharging air 14 to 25 degrees F hotter than ambient temperatures, creating thermal plumes that affect areas up to a third of a mile away. The study involved mounting high-accuracy temperature sensors on cars to measure temperatures simultaneously upwind and downwind of four selected facilities in Mesa and Chandler, ranging from 36-megawatt to 169-megawatt capacities.
Sailor emphasized the significant impact even a 1-degree temperature increase can have, particularly in areas already facing extreme heat, leading to higher air conditioning use and further heat generation. He called for attention from city planners and industry developers to this overlooked heat hazard. The research team aims to collaborate with data center providers and stakeholders to develop strategies, such as design modifications or greenbelts, to reduce the thermal footprint of these essential facilities, with potential requirements for such fixes in city siting and permitting processes.