In a groundbreaking initiative, UK cloud firm Civo has partnered with Orbital Materials to test innovative carbon capture technology at one of its data centers. This pilot project aims to enhance sustainability in the data center industry by utilizing advanced materials and AI-driven solutions to reduce carbon emissions.
Key Takeaways
- Civo collaborates with Orbital Materials to deploy carbon capture technology.
- The pilot project will take place at a Civo data center in the UK by the end of 2025.
- Orbital’s technology utilizes waste heat from data centers to improve efficiency.
- The initiative aligns with the UK government’s push for sustainable data center operations.
Partnership Overview
Civo, a prominent web hosting firm in the UK, has joined forces with Orbital Materials, a startup specializing in carbon removal solutions tailored for the data center sector. The collaboration will see Orbital implement its cutting-edge carbon capture technology at a Civo data center, with the goal of significantly improving the sustainability and efficiency of data center operations.
Jonathan Godwin, CEO of Orbital, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We are excited to partner with Civo to deploy our carbon removal technology for data centers which will help the data center industry transition to a more sustainable future."
Technology Details
Orbital’s carbon capture system is designed to leverage the unique conditions of data centers. Here’s how it works:
- Air Intake: Fans draw in air from the data center environment.
- Carbon Absorption: The air passes through a proprietary sorbent material that captures CO₂.
- Heat Utilization: The system uses the waste heat generated by the data center to release the captured CO₂ into storage tanks.
- Shipping Containers: The entire setup is compact enough to be transported in shipping containers, making it easy to deploy at various locations.
This innovative approach not only captures carbon but also reduces operational costs by utilizing existing heat and airflow systems within the data center.
Future Implications
The pilot project is set to commence by the end of 2025 at an undisclosed Civo data center. This initiative is particularly timely, given the increasing investment in UK data centers and the government’s commitment to sustainability. Mark Boost, CEO of Civo, emphasized the urgency of implementing solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of expanding data center capacities.
Industry Context
The move towards carbon capture in data centers is gaining traction, with major players like Amazon and Google exploring similar technologies. However, many large cloud providers have been hesitant to adopt these solutions due to concerns about potential risks and impacts on performance. Orbital aims to demonstrate the viability of its technology through this pilot program, potentially paving the way for broader adoption across the industry.
As the data center sector continues to grow, initiatives like this one are crucial in addressing climate change and promoting sustainable practices. The collaboration between Civo and Orbital could serve as a model for future projects aimed at reducing carbon footprints in technology-driven industries.
Sources
- Civo partners with Orbital to pilot carbon removal technology at UK data center, Data Center Dynamics.
- Data center in UK becomes proving ground for new carbon capture technology from startup Orbital Materials |
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