Data Centers Research: Research Focus

What are best practices for engaging communities on data centers? What are best practices for siting data centers and associated infrastructure in a way that reduces or eliminates community and environmental impacts? How can data centers further offset any environmental and community impacts? What are best practices for siting paired data centers and renewable energy facilities? How can broader data center developments be designed to be regenerative, equitable, and support ecological and community health? 

Scope of research analysis: 

• Land use, environmental, economic, health, water, and energy impacts of data centers in the U.S. 
• Best practice strategies for engaging communities in data center planning and design 
• Best practice strategies for avoiding environmental injustices with data center planning and design 
• Best practice strategies for reducing data center water use or developing closed-loop systems 
• Best practice strategies for eliminating data center fossil fuel energy use 
• Best practice strategies for reducing or eliminating noise, heat, and vibration and reducing health impacts of data centers 
• Best practice strategies for ecological restoration and water conservation associated with data centers