Inside BGMU’s Bowling Green data center as communities weigh future projects
Officials with Bowling Green Municipal Utilities (BGMU) provided an inside look at their existing data center, detailing its operations, electricity demands, and cooling water usage. This overview comes as communities in the region, including Bowling Green, are discussing and considering regulations for future data center projects. BGMU aims to clarify misconceptions and inform public discourse on the diverse nature of data center facilities.
Bowling Green, Kentucky's BGMU (Bowling Green Municipal Utilities) offered a glimpse into its existing data center operations, addressing common questions about electricity, water consumption, and cooling systems amidst ongoing community discussions regarding potential future data center developments.
Operating in Bowling Green since 2012, the BGMU Data Center, formerly known as the Lost River Data Center, is a partnership between BGMU and Western Kentucky University. General Services Manager Todd Crosby highlighted its purpose in providing secure space, connectivity, and network access for businesses, including data replication for disaster recovery and acting as a meeting point for multiple telecommunications carriers to enhance speed and reduce bandwidth costs.
General Manager Mark Iverson noted that the term "data center" encompasses a wide range of facilities, from co-location spaces like BGMU's to large-scale cloud computing and AI facilities. He emphasized that reliable, continuous power is critical for data centers, and preparing for larger customers requires significant utility system planning and upgrades. Iverson also compared large power users, such as data centers or automotive plants, to a different type of growth than residential subdivisions.
Regarding cooling, Crosby explained that BGMU's facility utilizes a closed-loop chilled water system, similar to commercial buildings, to dissipate heat. Iverson added that the system uses about 31,000 gallons of water monthly through evaporation, which he equated to approximately six households' worth of water. Both officials stressed that water use, electricity demand, and noise levels vary greatly depending on a data center's size and design, advocating for a nuanced understanding as Bowling Green considers regulations for future facilities.