Data center growth could worsen Phoenix heat, ASU study says

A study led by David Sailor, Director of the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning at Arizona State University, reveals that data centers in metro Phoenix are significantly contributing to local temperature increases. Researchers found that "waste heat" from thousands of computer servers in these facilities can raise air temperatures in surrounding residential areas by up to 4 degrees, intensifying the urban heat island effect and making nights warmer. This phenomenon affects human health, as prolonged heat stress without overnight recovery can lead to serious illnesses or death, according to Melissa Guardaro, Assistant Research Professor at ASU's School of Sustainability.

The study, the first to directly measure air temperatures around data centers, highlights that hyperscale data centers can emit up to 6,000 watts per square meter of heat, a figure two to six times the intensity of the sun's energy hitting the surface. This heat can increase peak cooling demand and annual energy use for homes downwind, potentially costing residents millions of dollars in additional AC expenses across the city. With 178 data centers built or under construction and 4,154 megawatts in planned developments in Arizona, the cumulative warming effect could become more widespread.

Public pushback against data center proliferation in Phoenix has been significant, with residents expressing concerns about noise, water consumption, and energy costs. While the heat impact is currently hyper-local, dissipating within about a third of a mile, the expansion of infrastructure, including some data centers planning natural gas turbines in areas like Surprise, could amplify these effects. The research aims to inform solutions, suggesting mitigation strategies like creating buffer zones around facilities and incorporating greenery to offset the heat.