Closed loop cooling systems save water, but can be a drain on electricity

Dr. Ricci, a professor in the University of Utah's school of computing, has raised questions regarding the environmental impact of a proposed 3 to 9 gigawatt data center in Box Elder County, Utah, planned by O'Leary Digital. While O'Leary Digital intends to use a closed-loop cooling system to significantly reduce water consumption, Ricci highlights that these systems typically demand more electricity for operation. He states that the heat picked up by the water in the cooling process must be "rejected" into the atmosphere, often requiring additional power for compressors, similar to air conditioning, especially during warmer months. O'Leary Digital claims its system, which would use a water and glycol solution and generate power from a gas pipeline separate from Utah utilities, would use little to no water for power production. However, Ricci expresses skepticism, noting that the specific methods for achieving such low water usage for cooling and power generation are unclear. He emphasizes the need for "detailed, unbiased studies" to verify O'Leary Digital's claims, especially given that systems claiming zero water usage for data center cooling are relatively new and haven't been tested at the immense scale proposed for the Box Elder County project.