OpenAI's proposed $20 billion data center in Effingham County, Georgia, will use 30,000 gallons of water daily for ordinary workplace uses, but experts raise concerns about its closed-loop cooling system's efficiency in the region's hot, humid climate. The center's initial fill and final ongoing annual demand are still being determined.
TL;DR
- OpenAI's $20B data center in Effingham County will use 30,000 gallons of water daily for ordinary uses, with initial fill and final demand still undetermined.
- The data center will employ a closed-loop dry cooling system, but experts question its efficiency in hot climates and its potential to increase indirect water consumption.
- Effingham County is building a multimillion-dollar water treatment center to process large quantities of Savannah River water to supplement existing supplies.
What happened
OpenAI plans to build a $20 billion data center in Effingham County, Georgia, which will use 30,000 gallons of water daily for ordinary workplace uses. The initial fill and final ongoing annual demand are still being determined through final design and water-service planning.
The data center will employ a closed-loop dry cooling system, which uses heat exchangers to reject heat to outdoor air, limiting ongoing water use to normal makeup and maintenance needs. The exact quantity needed to fill or replenish the loop is still being designed.
Effingham County is building a multimillion-dollar water treatment center to process large quantities of Savannah River water to supplement existing supplies. The new facility is expected to produce 12 million to 14 million gallons per day initially, with the capacity to expand up to 24 million to 28 million gallons per day in future phases.
Why it matters
The closed-loop cooling system's efficiency in hot, humid climates is a concern, as it may not be able to dissipate the full heat load during peak temperatures. This could result in increased water consumption for cooling or higher energy use, leading to more indirect water consumption.
The data center's water needs will not come from the Floridan aquifer, which is off-limits for new withdrawals in the area. Instead, it will rely on existing supplies and the new water treatment center, which could put a strain on water resources in the region.
The data center's power requirements will also have significant water implications, as producing electricity requires a lot of water. The data center's indirect water consumption could range from about 4 billion to 8 billion gallons a year, depending on the water consumption data used.
Key facts
- OpenAI's proposed data center in Effingham County will use 30,000 gallons of water daily for ordinary workplace uses.
- The initial fill and final ongoing annual demand for the data center's closed-loop cooling system are still being determined.
- Effingham County is building a multimillion-dollar water treatment center to process large quantities of Savannah River water, with an initial capacity of 12 million to 14 million gallons per day.
- The data center's indirect water consumption could range from about 4 billion to 8 billion gallons a year, depending on the water consumption data used.
- The Floridan aquifer is off-limits for new withdrawals in the area, so the data center will rely on existing supplies and the new water treatment center.
- The data center's power requirements will have significant water implications, as producing electricity requires a lot of water.
- Experts question the closed-loop cooling system's efficiency in hot, humid climates and its potential to increase indirect water consumption.
- The exact maximum outdoor design temperature for the cooling system depends on final equipment selection and system design.
Context
Data centers have a reputation for being water-intensive facilities, and the Savannah area has struggled in recent years to meet growing demands for water while protecting its natural water supplies.
The data center's water needs will not come from the Floridan aquifer, which is off-limits for new withdrawals in the area designated as a 'red zone' to protect this resource from overuse.
The data center's power requirements will also have significant water implications, as producing electricity requires a lot of water. Much of Georgia's electricity is generated through a process that uses natural gas, nuclear, or coal to boil water into steam to drive a turbine, which requires cooling systems that typically lose water through evaporation.
