Latest news with #energyEfficiency
Times
2 hours ago
- General
- Times
Heatwaves are hell in my new-build nightmare flat
'Whew, it's like stepping off a plane in a hot country,' said a friend last weekend as she entered the corridor that leads to my flat. I commonly have to reassure guests before we've even arrived at my front door that I don't live in an actual oven. What I actually live in is a new one-bedroom flat in southeast London. It has much to recommend it, not least its energy efficiency. My flat is so well-insulated that I haven't turned the heating on since I moved in seven years ago, saving me thousands of pounds in energy bills. There's just one sweltering downside: summer. The flats were not built with summer in mind, particularly not the kind of 25C-30C days that we're sweating our way through. • Best tips on how to sleep in the heat Millions of us are in the same boat. Ask anyone who lives in a house or flat built in the past 20 years and they will tell you that between June and August, they may as well live on Mercury. Through a combination of building regulations, net-zero goals and property developers packing in as many flats as they can, new homes are significantly hotter and harder to ventilate than older properties. The flora is suffering. I tried to keep a basil plant this summer, for sprinkling elegantly on tomato salads, but it died in two days. Sadly it seems only succulents will survive. A stalk emerged from one of my succulents recently, which I sent proudly to a green-fingered friend. 'You must be keeping it in an optimal climate,' she said. I looked it up, and the plant in question is native to north Africa. I had an impromptu summit about the problem in the lift the other day, when I squeezed in alongside two clammy neighbours. 'It's never less than 30C in my flat,' one of them dead-panned. 'I think I've acclimatised and I don't feel anything any more,' the other said. (She's got a point about acclimatising — everyone else's homes feel freezing to me now.) This is all a trade-off. Most people don't believe me when I say that I've never had to turn the heating on, but it's true. In fact my flat is so well-insulated that I've never heard the newborn babies who apparently live either side of me. But with the number of days in which the temperature reaches above 28C doubling since 1990, this trade-off is becoming a rather sweaty one. Annie Moore, 33, and her partner used to own a new two-bedroom flat that overheated in the summer. This meant 'essentially not wearing many clothes, we rarely had the duvet on, and there was lots of standing in the fridge with the door open'. • Heatwaves above 40C are the future, says Met Office While most office workers were reluctant to return after Covid, Moore was desperate to be back in to take advantage of the air conditioning. Two years ago, she moved to a draughty Victorian terraced house and prefers being cooler and spending more on heating. 'We often think of the people who bought our old flat on hot days like this and feel very bad,' she says. Ventilation is another big problem with new builds. Cramming as many flats as possible into buildings means a lot of them are single aspect like mine (with windows only on one side) so it's impossible to create a through-draught of air to cool the place down. This is the reason the majority of new builds are fitted with MVHR systems (mechanical ventilation with heat recovery), in which pipes circulate air flow through the flat. This, however, does not keep you cool on the hottest days. And that wave of hot air that knocks you out in the corridors? This is down to communal heating pipework that is usually run down the centre of the building. The prevalence of glass on new buildings can also create a greenhouse effect that contributes towards the high temperatures inside. A friend who is also in her thirties, Ophelia Oakham, bought her new flat in 2017. 'By the summer of 2018, it felt like we were living in a slow-cooking oven,' she says. 'We tried everything. Fans that just blew hot air around, damp paper towels, cold flannels in front of the fan, blackout curtains kept shut all day; you name it. The building's design meant no breeze ever got in.' So what can be done to cool these furnaces down? Air conditioning is one option. But it costs. Portable units (units in more ways than one) are between £400 and £600 for a good one. Because air conditioning is so energy intensive (and expensive to install), many new blocks such as mine aren't built with it. Blocking out the morning sun is the most important remedy, especially if you're east-facing as I am. Owners of flats usually can't install external blinds, so instead I have good quality blackout curtains that I don't open until around midday when the sun is above the building, not in front. Reflective window film is a good buy too. Invest in a decent fan. I have an 18in chrome contraption in the lounge that knocks paintings off the wall on its strongest setting. In the bedroom, there's a Dreo silent tower fan that has eight speeds and a silent mode on a timer at night. I do think it's great that we're pushing for energy efficiency in our building regulations. But if we're going to build 1.5 million homes in the next five years, as the government assures us that we are, then we need to make sure they are ready for a warming climate too. • Rising humidity is making heatwaves worse In 2023, my friend Ophelia caved and moved into a Victorian house. 'These new-build flats must come with proper cooling,' she says. 'Insulation is great in winter, but in summer it's unbearable. People can't sleep, everyone's miserable, and the world is only getting hotter. I feel very passionate about this. It's not a luxury, it's a necessity.' Melissa York is assistant property editor of The Times and Sunday Times
CTV News
19 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
How To Choose A Portable Air Conditioner
Learn how to choose the best portable air conditioner : key features, cooling power, and expert tips to stay cool all summer. Portable air conditioners are extremely popular products for getting rid of hot air in small rooms or houses/apartments without central air conditioning. Their cost, maintenance demands, and energy efficiency are often superior to that of standard whole-house air conditioning units, too, so they are great options for people who need cooling power on a budget. Whether you are getting advice from an associate in a store or doing your own shopping on Amazon, there are some questions you need to consider and a long list of features to prioritize. Overall, there's a lot that goes into choosing a portable air conditioner; let's investigate. Questions To Ask Yourself How Many Square Feet Do I Need It To Cover? Most portable AC units are window air conditioners, and they will require a fixed position for an exhaust hose to expel all of the heat and moisture they collect. As a result, you won't be able to move the machine easily daily. Considering the coverage area you need taken care of is therefore an important step before you start browsing, as you'll need to have an idea of the window unit's ideal size and cooling capacity. What Do I Need A Portable AC Unit For? Portable air conditioners actually have two functions: the main one is to create cool air, and the other is to dehumidify the air. Deciding the importance of each of these functions is a step you should take before committing to a purchase. Some models will have dehumidification as a minor secondary function that happens as a byproduct of cooling the air. If you need a machine that relieves the humidity in your home in addition to cooling the air, you'll want to look for a model that can actively dehumidify without changing the air temperature simultaneously. Will It Be Working With An HVAC System Or As A Standalone? Some people purchase a portable air conditioner as their sole relief from summer heat, but others choose to use it in conjunction with their central air system to target certain rooms that aren't cooling as effectively, have an excess level of warm air production from machines or appliances, or that require a cooler temperature than the rest of the home. Making this distinction before shopping for a portable window AC unit will help you narrow down the market to models that suit your airflow and square footage needs. How Portable Does It Really Need To Be? The best portable air conditioners are not always as portable as you'd expect, so it is a good idea to understand your needs before you start shopping. If the machine needs to be movable regularly, you'll want to avoid a model that comes with a window kit because it will be more difficult to get it mobile. Instead, a simple exhaust hose draped out an open window or sliding door will be best. If a more permanent solution is needed, a venting kit unit is ideal. Will A Professional Install It Or Is This A DIY Project? Most portable air conditioners can be installed with minimal hassle by the average individual. However, some machines will require a slightly more complex or permanent installation that you may be more comfortable handing off to a professional handyman. Being aware of your capabilities is important in order to ensure that you experience a successful and painless installation process. Features To Consider There is a wide range of portable air conditioners on the market, and they all have their own collection of features. Since it would be almost impossible to find a single unit that fits your budget, room size, and comes with all of the features you want, you'll have to prioritize. BTU Rating The BTU (British thermal units) rating of a portable air conditioner is a representation of its power and cooling capacity. For small rooms, a minimum of 7500 BTU is ideal. Medium rooms should be managed by a 10,000 BTU machine, and large rooms will require a machine with a rating of 15,000 BTU or more. Single-Hose Vs Dual-Hose The two main model types for portable air conditioners are single-hose and dual-hose. Single-hose units will be less expensive and simpler to install, but they will also be less effective due to their simpler design. Dual-hose models are often chosen for larger spaces due to their superiority in efficiency. They will be more expensive and more difficult to maintain, however. Programmable Timer and/or Thermostat Most modern portable air conditioners will have a built-in thermostat and/or timer that offers you the convenience of a 'set it and forget it' machine. Most timers will have a range of less than an hour to multiple hours that can allow you to effectively cool down a room when you need to leave without wasting any energy. Thermostat control allows you to set your ideal temperature and have the machine maintain it for you; this system will use more energy as the machine is always on to some degree, but it is more convenient. Self-Evaporative Vs. Gravity Drain Vs. Tank System Air conditioners work by using a compressor to generate refrigerant, and then cycling that refrigerant through condenser coils to draw moisture out of the air and cool down the temperature. There are three ways that a portable AC unit can get rid of this moisture. The most common option is a self-evaporative method; the moisture will be sent by evaporator coils to turn it back into water vapour so it can be expelled with the hot air. A gravity drain system uses a hose to constantly drain the water from the machine; this will require a bit more setup, but is also quite convenient. Tank systems aren't all that popular anymore, but there is still the chance that you'll come across a model that uses a water reservoir to contain the water until you dump it out. This will require vigilance on your part to ensure that it doesn't overflow. Remote Control or Wifi Connectivity It is not uncommon for portable air conditioners to come with a remote control. This enables you to control various settings without needing to physically touch the machine; the convenience of this speaks for itself. If you're looking for machine control that goes a step further, you may want to investigate units that offer WiFi connectivity. You'll be able to use an app on your smartphone to adjust settings rather than relying on a physical remote that you may end up losing. Dehumidifying Capacity The dehumidifying function of portable ACs is not a static feature. It varies depending on the size and purpose of a unit. Some models will function as passive dehumidifiers, meaning they only remove as much moisture as is naturally removed as the air is cooled down. Other machines can take a more active role and are actually capable of dehumidifying the air without adjusting the temperature. Noise Level/Decibel Rating If you plan on leaving your portable AC unit running constantly, especially overnight, the noise rating of the machine is an important consideration you need to make. Many Frigidaire, Whynter, and Black+Decker models use thoughtful designs to limit the noise of the machine and reduce the disruption to your life. The noise level of the fan is usually balanced in order to cover the noise of the compressor, but not affect your daily living. Fan Speeds Most portable air conditioners are outfitted with multiple fan speeds in order to adjust to the air quality and temperature. If the room air is very hot and humid, the machine should run at full capacity. If the air is just a bit warm and not overly humid, the lower settings will be more than capable of handling the job effectively and with limited waste of power. Energy Efficiency Energy efficiency is an important factor to consider when looking at a machine that is going to be running for long periods of time. You should always look for a unit that is Energy Star certified to ensure it is efficient with its energy usage and won't be too damaging to the environment or your wallet. Our Top Picks for a Portable Air Conditioner:
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Immersion Cooling Market is expected to generate a revenue of USD 1.48 Billion by 2031, Globally, at 22.50% CAGR: Verified Market Research®
LEWES, Del., June 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Immersion Cooling Market presents significant growth potential, particularly in North America, where technological maturity and sustainability mandates drive early adoption. Market drivers such as rising energy efficiency demands, high-performance computing workloads, and regulatory push toward green infrastructure create strong entry points for innovators and solution providers. However, high initial costs and limited standardization require a strategic focus on partnerships, pilot projects, and education. New entrants should target niche HPC and AI segments, while established players can scale through regional customization, ecosystem development, and ESG-aligned offerings to capture market share and build long-term client trust. The Global Immersion Cooling Market Size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 22.50% from 2024 to 2031, according to a new report published by Verified Market Research®. The report reveals that the market was valued at USD 0.29 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1.48 Billion by the end of the forecast period. The Immersion Cooling Market is witnessing rapid growth due to its potential to significantly reduce energy consumption and improve thermal performance, especially across hyperscale data centers, edge computing sites, and blockchain environments. Key Highlights of the Report: Market Size & Forecast: In-depth analysis of current value and future projections Segment Analysis: Detailed study across Product, Application, and Cooling Liquid. Regional Insights: Comprehensive coverage of North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and more Competitive Landscape: Profiles of top players and their strategic initiatives Rising Data Center Workloads: Driving demand for efficient and scalable cooling solutions. Superior Heat Dissipation: Offers better performance than traditional air or liquid cooling systems. Sustainability Goals: Enables organizations to meet green energy compliance benchmarks. Technological Innovations: Adoption of two-phase cooling and dielectric fluids enhances market growth. Challenges and Risk Assessment: Evaluates ethical debates, off-target effects, and regulatory complexities. Why This Report Matters: This report offers critical insights into emerging technologies, growth projections, and key player strategies in the immersion cooling industry. It decodes how market dynamics are shifting due to sustainability mandates, operational cost reductions, and increasing compute densities—offering a comprehensive view of future growth opportunities and competitive benchmarks. Who You Should Read This Report: Data Center Operators & CTOs – For adopting cutting-edge cooling technologies Energy & Sustainability Officers – To align with ESG and power efficiency targets Investors & Strategic Planners – To identify high-potential companies and growth pockets Technology Solution Providers – To understand innovation trends and customer needs B2B Buyers & Procurement Teams – For informed, future-proof cooling system investments For more information or to purchase the report, please contact us at: Browse in-depth TOC on 'Global Immersion Cooling Market Size' 202 – Pages126 – Tables37 – Figures Report Scope REPORT ATTRIBUTES DETAILS Study Period 2021-2031 Growth Rate CAGR of ~22.50% from 2024 to 2031 Base Year for Valuation 2024 Historical Period 2021-2023 Quantitative Units Value in USD Million Forecast Period 2024-2031 Report Coverage Historical and Forecast Revenue Forecast, Historical and Forecast Volume, Growth Factors, Trends, Competitive Landscape, Key Players, Segmentation Analysis Segments Covered Product Application Cooling Liquid Regions Covered North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa Key Players LiquidStack, Fujitsu, Green Revolution Cooling, Submer, Asperitas, Midas Green Technologies, Iceotope Technologies, LiquidCool Solutions, DUG Technology, DCX. Customization Report customization along with purchase available upon request Global Immersion Cooling Market Overview Market Driver Surge in Energy-Efficient and Sustainable Data Center Demands: The exponential growth in data volume, IoT devices, AI workloads, and digital services has led to skyrocketing energy consumption across data centers worldwide. Traditional air cooling systems are struggling to keep up with these thermal loads while maintaining sustainability targets. Immersion cooling addresses this challenge head-on by offering up to 95% reduction in cooling energy requirements compared to conventional methods. It drastically improves Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), lowers carbon footprint, and supports green IT initiatives. Major cloud service providers and colocation firms are accelerating investments in immersion systems to meet both performance needs and ESG commitments, making this a pivotal growth driver. High-Performance Computing (HPC) & AI Driving Thermal Management Innovation: Industries such as oil & gas, healthcare, fintech, and aerospace are deploying AI, machine learning, and simulation workloads that demand intense computing power and generate significant heat. These workloads often overwhelm traditional cooling methods, leading to throttled performance and increased hardware failure risks. Immersion cooling enables efficient thermal management for GPUs, ASICs, and CPUs operating at extremely high densities. It eliminates airflow dependency, supports overclocking, and ensures optimal system performance without thermal throttling. This capability is increasingly being seen as a competitive edge in sectors where compute speed directly impacts time-to-market and operational efficiency. Regulatory Pressures & Government Incentives Fueling Adoption: Globally, governments and regulatory bodies are issuing mandates to reduce energy waste and greenhouse gas emissions in IT infrastructure. For example, Europe's Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact and U.S. federal energy efficiency programs are pushing enterprises toward low-emission, energy-optimized infrastructure. Immersion cooling is emerging as a go-to technology due to its ability to cut cooling energy consumption by over 90%, extend equipment life, and support heat reuse. In some regions, regulatory incentives and grants are even being offered for implementing green cooling systems. As sustainability becomes a compliance issue—not just a strategic choice—immersion cooling adoption is set to accelerate. To Purchase a Comprehensive Report Analysis: Market Restraint High Initial Investment and Infrastructure Overhaul Costs: Despite its energy-saving benefits, immersion cooling requires significant upfront capital outlay. Deployment involves purchasing immersion tanks, high-grade dielectric fluids, and custom hardware modifications. Additionally, for brownfield installations, existing facilities must be retrofitted, which often involves shutting down equipment, modifying layouts, and investing in new power distribution and monitoring systems. These high entry costs, combined with long ROI periods, deter adoption among small and mid-size enterprises that may lack capital or risk tolerance. For many, traditional or hybrid cooling remains a more financially viable choice, stalling widespread market penetration. Absence of Uniform Standards and Limited Ecosystem Support: The immersion cooling market lacks standardized frameworks for hardware compatibility, fluid composition, system integration, and long-term performance validation. As a result, interoperability across vendors is limited, and system designs remain proprietary, making scalability complex and vendor lock-in a real concern. Additionally, the global ecosystem of OEMs, system integrators, and maintenance service providers for immersion cooling is still nascent. This creates uncertainty for data center operators who seek mature, well-supported solutions with proven deployment models. Until industry-wide standards and broader ecosystem support are in place, large-scale enterprise adoption will face resistance. Concerns Around Hardware Compatibility and Reliability of Dielectric Fluids: One of the most pressing technical concerns surrounding immersion cooling is the lack of hardware standardization for submersion. Many commercially available servers, motherboards, and components are not specifically designed to operate submerged in dielectric fluids. Prolonged exposure raises concerns about material degradation, fluid absorption, and seal failures, especially in two-phase systems where fluid boiling and condensation cycles occur. Furthermore, while dielectric fluids are engineered to be non-conductive and thermally stable, questions about fluid lifespan, degradation over time, and safe disposal remain unresolved. These uncertainties raise red flags for mission-critical deployments, slowing adoption in conservative or regulated industries. Geographical Dominance: North America dominates the Immersion Cooling Market, driven by its advanced data center infrastructure, early adoption of high-performance computing, and strong presence of tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. The region benefits from favorable government initiatives promoting energy efficiency, along with significant investments in AI, blockchain, and edge computing. The U.S., in particular, leads in pilot deployments and commercial adoption, making North America a key hub for innovation and large-scale implementation of immersion cooling solutions. Key Players The 'Global Immersion Cooling Market' study report will provide a valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are LiquidStack, Fujitsu, Green Revolution Cooling, Submer, Asperitas, Midas Green Technologies, Iceotope Technologies, LiquidCool Solutions, DUG Technology, DCX. Immersion Cooling Market Segment Analysis Based on the research, Verified Market Research has segmented the global market into Product, Application, Cooling Liquid, and Geography. Immersion Cooling Market, by Product: Single-Phase Two-Phase Immersion Cooling Market, by Application: High-performance Computing Edge Computing Cryptocurrency Mining Artificial Intelligence Immersion Cooling Market, by Cooling Liquid: Mineral Oil Fluorocarbon-based Fluids Deionized Water Immersion Cooling Market, by Geography North America U.S Canada Mexico Europe Germany France U.K Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Rest of Asia Pacific ROW Middle East & Africa Latin America Browse Related Reports: United States Data Center Cooling Market Size By Type (Liquid-Based Cooling, Hybrid Cooling), By Component (Chillers, Cooling Towers, Control Systems), By Cooling Technique (Free Cooling, Immersion Cooling), By Geography, And Forecast Global Data Center Liquid Immersion Cooling Market Size By Type (Single-phase Immersion Cooling, Two-phase Immersion Cooling), By Application (High-Performance Computing (HPC), Edge computing, Artificial intelligence (AI), Mining Cryptocurrency), By Geography, And Forecast Global Immersion Cooling Fluids Market Size By Type of Fluid (Single-Phase Immersion Cooling Fluids, Two-Phase Immersion Cooling Fluids), By Application (Data Centers, Electronics, Automotive), By End-Use Industry (IT & Telecommunications, Electronics & Semiconductors), By Fluid Composition (Mineral Oils, Synthetic Oils), By Geography, And Forecast Global Antifreeze/Coolant Market Size By Product (Ethylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin), Technology (Oat, Hoat, IAT), By Application (Automotive, Aerospace, Industry Heat Transfer & Cooling Systems), By Geography, And Forecast Top 7 HVAC Equipment Manufacturers going green with sustainability Visualize Immersion Cooling Market using Verified Market Intelligence -: Verified Market Intelligence is our BI Enabled Platform for narrative storytelling in this market. VMI offers in-depth forecasted trends and accurate Insights on over 20,000+ emerging & niche markets, helping you make critical revenue-impacting decisions for a brilliant future. VMI provides a holistic overview and global competitive landscape with respect to Region, Country, Segment, and Key players of your market. Present your Market Report & findings with an inbuilt presentation feature saving over 70% of your time and resources for Investor, Sales & Marketing, R&D, and Product Development pitches. VMI enables data delivery In Excel and Interactive PDF formats with over 15+ Key Market Indicators for your market. About Us Verified Market Research® stands at the forefront as a global leader in Research and Consulting, offering unparalleled analytical research solutions that empower organizations with the insights needed for critical business decisions. Celebrating 10+ years of service, VMR has been instrumental in providing founders and companies with precise, up-to-date research data. With a team of 500+ Analysts and subject matter experts, VMR leverages internationally recognized research methodologies for data collection and analyses, covering over 15,000 high impact and niche markets. This robust team ensures data integrity and offers insights that are both informative and actionable, tailored to the strategic needs of businesses across various industries. VMR's domain expertise is recognized across 14 key industries, including Semiconductor & Electronics, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Energy, Technology, Automobiles, Defense, Mining, Manufacturing, Retail, and Agriculture & Food. In-depth market analysis cover over 52 countries, with advanced data collection methods and sophisticated research techniques being utilized. This approach allows for actionable insights to be furnished by seasoned analysts, equipping clients with the essential knowledge necessary for critical revenue decisions across these varied and vital industries. Verified Market Research® is also a member of ESOMAR, an organization renowned for setting the benchmark in ethical and professional standards in market research. This affiliation highlights VMR's dedication to conducting research with integrity and reliability, ensuring that the insights offered are not only valuable but also ethically sourced and respected worldwide. Follow Us On: LinkedIn | Twitter | Threads | Instagram | Facebook Contact UsMr. Edwyne FernandesVerified Market Research®US: +1 (650)-781-4080US Toll Free: +1 (800)-782-1768Email: sales@ Logo: View original content: SOURCE Verified Market Research Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
2 Reasons to Like CECO and 1 to Stay Skeptical
CECO Environmental has been treading water for the past six months, recording a small return of 4% while holding steady at $30.66. Is now the time to buy CECO? Or does the price properly account for its business quality and fundamentals? Find out in our full research report, it's free. With roots dating back to 1869 and a focus on creating cleaner industrial operations, CECO Environmental (NASDAQ:CECO) provides technology and expertise that helps industrial companies reduce emissions, treat water, and improve energy efficiency across various sectors. Reviewing a company's long-term sales performance reveals insights into its quality. Even a bad business can shine for one or two quarters, but a top-tier one grows for years. Luckily, CECO Environmental's sales grew at an excellent 12.6% compounded annual growth rate over the last five years. Its growth surpassed the average business services company and shows its offerings resonate with customers. Adjusted operating margin is an important measure of profitability as it shows the portion of revenue left after accounting for all core expenses – everything from the cost of goods sold to advertising and wages. It's also useful for comparing profitability across companies because it excludes non-recurring expenses, interest on debt, and taxes. CECO Environmental's adjusted operating margin rose by 10.8 percentage points over the last five years, as its sales growth gave it immense operating leverage. Its adjusted operating margin for the trailing 12 months was 14.7%. We track the long-term change in earnings per share (EPS) because it highlights whether a company's growth is profitable. CECO Environmental's EPS grew at a weak 2.7% compounded annual growth rate over the last five years, lower than its 12.6% annualized revenue growth. This tells us the company became less profitable on a per-share basis as it expanded. CECO Environmental's positive characteristics outweigh the negatives, but at $30.66 per share (or 23.3× forward P/E), is now the time to initiate a position? See for yourself in our in-depth research report, it's free. Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sent major indices to all-time highs, but stocks have retraced as investors debate the health of the economy and the potential impact of tariffs. While this leaves much uncertainty around 2025, a few companies are poised for long-term gains regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate, like our Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Why Whole-Life Carbon Is The Next Big Investment Trend
Kathleen Abbott leads Arcadis global business development, running strategy on key clients, sector priorities and city programs. Businesses have an opportunity to align financial performance with sustainability objectives by adopting a whole-life carbon strategy. This process assesses an asset's carbon impact across its lifecycle—from construction to operation and decommissioning. While transitioning to low-carbon practices involves upfront costs and challenges, the long-term benefits—including energy efficiency, regulatory compliance and enhanced reputation—make it a compelling investment. AI data centers, as energy-intensive facilities, are a key focus for improvement through measures like renewable energy use and sustainable construction. Success requires overcoming barriers, such as initial costs and carbon accounting complexities, while leveraging collaboration, regulatory support and strategic integration. Though financial returns will yield over time, this approach positions businesses to thrive in a future that prioritizes low-carbon investments. The Holistic Impact Of Whole-Life Carbon Investment What if the data centers powering our digital world could also lead the charge against climate change? With 95% to 98% of their emissions coming from operational energy use, the opportunity to reduce carbon is as massive as the industry itself, a market poised to grow to $774 billion by 2032. Compelling client examples across the industry illustrate how major players are investing in the development of lower-carbon data centers: Google is slashing up to 25% of energy consumption in data centers by harnessing the power of machine learning to optimize cooling systems. With a record-breaking Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.1, Google's use of sustainable innovation proves that cutting-edge AI isn't just smart but green. In San Jose, California, Microsoft is leveraging renewable natural gas and a 60-megawatt backup generator at its data center. This move is a leap toward the company's audacious goal of becoming carbon-negative by 2030. Terra Ventures is also setting new standards for sustainable data center design in San Jose. Ditching traditional backup generators entirely, this facility (which our company is helping support) will transform exhaust heat from waste fuel cells into chilled water using state-of-the-art absorption chillers. The result? A more than 50% estimated reduction in cooling energy demand and a significant cut in CO2 emissions. Shell is making waves in the data center world with 864 immersion-cooled servers powered by advanced processors. By eliminating traditional cooling methods, Shell has significantly reduced energy demand while boosting efficiency. The Broader Benefits Of Sustainable Data Centers Capacity constraints are an increasing concern as we rush to satisfy our growing demand for data infrastructure. In response, sustainable strategies are not only eco-friendly imperatives but also sound business decisions. Energy-efficient whole-system designs minimize energy consumption, lower operating costs and can downsize critical backup power systems. Additionally, optimizing infrastructure can increase ultimate data processing capacity within the same energy footprint. Sustainable construction practices, including sourcing sustainable and proximity-based building materials, off-site modularized construction and building information modeling (BIM), reduce supply chain limitations and accelerate project timelines. Investing in sustainability also unlocks financial incentives. Companies pursuing low-carbon projects can access low-interest loans, sustainability-linked investment funds and streamlined permitting processes, accelerating project timelines and reducing upfront costs. Low-carbon, sustainable facilities can also help win the war for talent. Today's employees are seeking workplaces that demonstrate a commitment to responsible practices and long-term impact. Challenges In Achieving Low-Carbon Data Centers Despite the advantages, achieving low-carbon data centers requires overcoming the same key challenges the industry faces. Energy sourcing remains critical due to the facilities' massive power demands. However, advancements in renewable energy infrastructure and innovative storage solutions are helping bridge the gap. Investment in microgrids and hybrid energy models makes balancing sustainable sources with reliability increasingly feasible. The construction supply chain, particularly in sourcing materials, low-carbon or otherwise, persists as a challenge. While procurement complexities exist, manufacturers drive innovation in sustainable materials, reducing embodied carbon while utilizing feedstocks that enhance the supply chain instead of competing with it. Companies can dramatically reduce carbon use by leveraging emerging materials such as low-carbon concrete, mass timber and bio-based materials. The industry's current emphasis on speed and standardization in construction can often lead to over-design and inefficiencies. Designs that overlook site-specific conditions may waste valuable resources, miss out on optimization, such as harnessing free cooling, and ultimately lead to higher costs and environmental impacts. Striking the right balance between rapid deployment and thoughtful, location-sensitive design is essential for building more efficient and resilient infrastructure. Finally, cooperation across multiple stakeholders—designers, suppliers, communities and policymakers—is a concern, but rallying around a more streamlined, energy-efficient, cost-effective, sustainable investment strategy could unlock levels of teamwork to achieve more with less. Transformation For A Resilient Future As demand for digital infrastructure grows, adopting a whole-life carbon approach offers a clear, future-ready and profitable pathway to the future. Collaboration across the value chain, investment in durable materials and operational efficiency will reduce data centers' environmental impact while maintaining business viability. The demand for low-carbon infrastructure isn't just a trend—it's a transformation. By embracing whole-life carbon strategies, businesses can lead the way into a thriving, profitable future. The question is: Are you ready to invest tomorrow? Forbes Business Development Council is an invitation-only community for sales and biz dev executives. 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