Mission Critical + Mother Nature

Langan Helps Data Centers Start Sustainably

The data center market may be the one sector with an unlimited upside, but still faces challenges, such as meeting sustainability goals. While data itself has greatly decreased reliance on paper production and waste, the high demand for power and water to keep data centers operating 24/7 ultimately impacts the environment.

As a result, data center developers, designers, constructors and tenants are continuously seeking ways to achieve efficiencies in-building, which is the main way to make data centers operate more sustainably. But can anything be done during the due diligence phase to make data center projects greener?

“Sustainability really starts with site selection,” said Crystal Eggers, Associate, Langan. “Priority sites are in redevelopment zones, where data centers are an excellent re-use of abandoned, blighted or underutilized properties. Of course, such a decision potentially requires more work in the ground, but choosing the redevelopment route helps achieve sustainability goals even before the cooling equipment is selected, the building is constructed and the first server is turned on.”

In addition to working on sites where data centers are ideal for redevelopment, Langan has been providing numerous sustainability features beyond the building. These include xeriscaping, which largely eliminates the need for wasteful irrigation, providing EV charging stations for employees, and engineering sustainable stormwater solutions to meet ever-evolving environmental standards.