Digital Realty collaborates with Ecolab to pilot AI-powered water conservation solution

The innovative digital service combines insights from Ecolab’s advanced automation and control technology with more than a century of Ecolab expertise to establish actionable water consumption benchmarks. By contextualizing the information through an AI/machine learning model and analyzing the data, the solution identifies real-time operational inefficiencies in cooling systems and recommends actions for fast improvement.

Digital Realty, an early adopter and key collaborator on the solution’s development, was the first to pilot Ecolab’s next generation of AI-enabled technology. Once fully implemented, the solution is expected to drive up to a 15% reduction in water use, extend the life of equipment, and avoid the withdrawal of up to 126 million gallons of potable water from local watersheds annually.

“Collaborating with Ecolab on this AI-driven water conservation initiative aligns with our goals of improving water use efficiency and minimizing environmental impact. We’re excited about the potential of this solution to set a new standard in water conservation for data centers," commented Aaron Binkley, Vice President of Sustainability, Digital Realty.

This collaboration builds upon the long-standing relationship between Digital Realty and Ecolab, which spans nearly a decade and has resulted in the successful completion of 15 water conservation projects. During 2023 alone, Digital Realty’s and Ecolab’s solutions helped Digital Realty reduce the amount of water withdrawn from local watersheds by 5% and avoid 986 metric tons of CO2 emissions, through restorative energy projects and water use reduction initiatives. Additionally, the projects have reduced plastic waste disposal by 83% through an innovative chemical delivery service and solids chemistry program.

“AI is not just revolutionizing business; it’s also set to transform water and energy efficiency within the tech sector,” said Emilio Tenuta, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Ecolab. “At Ecolab, we’re proud to innovate AI-powered water solutions with Digital Realty, showcasing how next-gen technology can elevate water stewardship across industries.”

The Ecolab solution pilot is part of Digital Realty's broader water conservation strategy, aimed at improving water usage effectiveness (WUE) and reducing overall water consumption. In its recent 2023 ESG report, Digital Realty reported a 14% reduction in water use intensity compared to the previous year, highlighting the company's ongoing commitment to innovation and minimizing its environmental impact.

Digital Realty has also successfully implemented AI solutions in other areas of its operations, including the expansion of its Apollo AI energy efficiency platform to the Asia-Pacific region. So far, this platform has identified the opportunity for approximately 18 gigawatt-hours of energy savings, equivalent to the annual energy usage of over 1,600 U.S. households.

Digital Realty's relationship with Ecolab underscores its dedication to sustainability and innovation within the data center industry. By continuing to leverage advanced technologies and strategic partnerships, Digital Realty remains at the forefront of the data center industry’s efforts to promote sustainability and environmental conservation.