I Spent the Day At a Noisy Data Center. Here’s What I Learned.

The author spent Earth Day visiting the Vantage VA2 data center campus in Sterling, Virginia's "Data Center Alley," observing and experiencing the "unignorable" and "monotonous whoosh" of the facility. This specific data center, which operates off-grid using gas turbines to avoid lengthy grid connection processes, has been a source of significant noise complaints from nearby residential communities, a problem documented across various media platforms. Local resident opposition and general sentiment suggest that many living near VA2 did not want the project built, which was fast-tracked under a county commercial incentive program. Noise is identified as a prevalent issue for data centers, accounting for a significant portion of conflicts and project cancellations. The article cites other examples, including a CyrusOne data center in Chandler, Arizona, where chilling fan noise led to a new city ordinance and the subsequent unanimous rejection of a $2.5 billion data center campus. Similar complaints about humming noise have been reported at a DataOne project in Vineland, New Jersey, a Hyperscale Data facility in Dowagiac, Michigan, and a Microsoft data center campus in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. While Microsoft has acknowledged noise concerns at its Wisconsin facility and implemented adjustments, Vantage maintains its VA2 facility complies with local noise ordinances, a claim disputed by the author's personal experience. Loudoun County Supervisor Mike Turner admitted the local ordinance might need revision to address the specific frequencies causing distress. Vantage spokesman Mark Freeman stated the company is exploring additional sound mitigation options, including dampening and enclosure enhancements for turbine-related equipment, while actively assessing broader solutions for targeted frequency ranges. The piece concludes that obtrusive sound from data centers will likely prompt new forms of regulation or increased opposition, leading to more project rejections.