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Data centers may hog headlines, but air conditioning quietly demands serious energy. Cooling technologies, often overlooked in climate discussions, are essential to address rising global temperatures.
According to a 2024 International Energy Agency (IEA) report, data centers will account for less than 10% of the increase in energy demand between now and 2030. Space cooling, primarily via air conditioning, will significantly outpace that figure.
The rising demand creates a vicious cycle: higher temperatures increase the need for cooling systems, which in turn require more fossil fuel-powered energy, further escalating global temperatures.
“Cooling degree days” measure the demand for cooling by calculating how much the average daily temperature exceeds a baseline of 21°C (70°F). For example, an average temperature of 26°C results in five cooling degree days.
Global cooling degree days in 2024 were 6% higher than in 2023 and 20% above the average for the first two decades of the century. Regions with high cooling demands, including China, India, and the US, were particularly impacted.
Air conditioning accounted for 7% of global electricity demand in 2022, and its importance is projected to grow. The number of AC units is expected to jump from fewer than 2 billion in 2016 to nearly 6 billion by 2050, according to a 2018 IEA report.
Air conditioners often switch on simultaneously, greatly stressing the grid. In some parts of the US, AC can account for over 70% of residential energy demand during peak hours.
Innovations in cooling technology are emerging, for example, systems with energy storage charge during low demand and discharge during peak hours to minimize grid stress. Desiccant cooling systems, which use moisture-absorbing materials, offer more efficient cooling and humidity control compared to standard AC units.
New developments in heat exchanger technology may provide a solution. Traditionally manufactured for nearly a century, heat exchangers are crucial components in air conditioners, heat pumps, refrigerators, and cooling systems for buildings and electronics, including data centers. A team of researchers has 3D-printed a heat exchanger that rivals the performance of standard designs.
To meet global cooling demands efficiently and break the current cycle, further innovation in cooling technology is essential, alongside supportive policies and public support.
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