Introdução
Data centers are essential to the digital economy but already account for about 3% of global electricity use and significant greenhouse gas emissions. With AI expansion, energy demand is expected to triple by 2030, intensifying environmental concerns. Green data centers, which emphasize efficiency, renewable integration, and circular economy strategies, emerge as a response to reconcile digital growth with sustainability goals.
Problema de Pesquisa e Objetivo
Despite progress in sustainable data center practices, knowledge remains fragmented and often focused on isolated techniques. The central problem is the lack of integrative analyses that map practices, assess impacts, and identify research gaps. This study aims to systematize the literature on sustainable practices in data centers, particularly cooling and waste heat recovery, and to propose avenues for advancing research and practice.
Fundamentação Teórica
Green data centers are defined as facilities designed or adapted to reduce environmental impact through energy efficiency, water rationalization, and emission mitigation. Metrics such as PUE and CUE are widely used but remain limited. Literature highlights cooling as the dominant source of energy demand, while circular economy strategies emphasize opportunities to valorize residual heat and integrate with urban and industrial systems, contributing to energy and climate resilience.
Metodologia
A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, searching Scopus and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed studies addressing cooling and waste heat recovery practices with reported efficiency gains. Screening eliminated duplicates and non-relevant works, resulting in 12 selected articles. Data were extracted on objectives, methods, techniques, and outcomes, then thematically categorized and analyzed qualitatively.
Análise e Discussão dos Resultados
Findings reveal two dominant practice domains: waste heat recovery (e.g., Organic Rankine Cycle, biogas integration, absorption chillers) and cooling optimization (economizers, AI-based architectures, free cooling). These practices enhance energy efficiency, but few address water efficiency or direct CO? reduction. Table 2 synthesizes identified strategies, while Table 3 proposes future research avenues, emphasizing integrated frameworks, broader metrics, governance, digital technologies, and circular economy applications.
Considerações Finais
This study consolidates fragmented evidence, contributing conceptually by clarifying the state of the art and practically by mapping solutions for decision makers. Limitations include database scope and qualitative synthesis. The key takeaway is that sustainability in data centers cannot rely on isolated efficiency gains: systemic approaches integrating energy, water, carbon, and governance are necessary to align digital growth with climate and circular economy transitions.
Referências
No references were cited in the abstract.