Microsoft Builds "Wooden" Data Center, Taking a Key Step Towards Carbon Neutrality

Microsoft Builds "Wooden" Data Center, Taking a Key Step Towards Carbon NeutralityOn November 4, Microsoft announced the construction of its first data center using ultra-strong, lightweight wood in the northern Virginia suburbs. This move marks a significant step towards achieving Microsoft's climate goals

Microsoft Builds "Wooden" Data Center, Taking a Key Step Towards Carbon Neutrality

On November 4, Microsoft announced the construction of its first data center using ultra-strong, lightweight wood in the northern Virginia suburbs. This move marks a significant step towards achieving Microsoft's climate goals. The new data center utilizes a hybrid construction model of wood, steel, and concrete, significantly reducing the data center's embedded carbon footprint by 35% compared to traditional steel structures and by 65% compared to prefabricated concrete.

In 2020, Microsoft announced its sustainability goals, including becoming carbon negative by 2030 and removing all carbon emissions the company has produced since its inception by 2050. To achieve this, Microsoft has been actively taking measures, including updating contract language, requiring suppliers to use carbon-free electricity, and investing in low-carbon building materials. The construction of this wooden data center is a crucial attempt by Microsoft in its decarbonization journey.

Traditional data centers typically use steel and concrete structures, which generate significant carbon emissions during production and transportation. Wood, on the other hand, is a renewable resource with a far lower carbon footprint compared to steel and concrete. Moreover, wood absorbs carbon dioxide as it grows, effectively reducing carbon content in the atmosphere.

Microsoft's use of ultra-strong, lightweight wood in data center construction not only reduces carbon emissions but also enhances the energy efficiency of the data center. Wood possesses excellent insulation properties, which can help the data center reduce energy consumption. Additionally, wood is lighter than steel and concrete, reducing the transportation costs of construction materials.

The head of sustainability for Microsoft's data center engineering team stated that this is a company-wide effort, requiring collaboration from everyone. They highlighted that the company will continue exploring new sustainability solutions and work with partners to drive the green transformation of data centers.

Microsoft's construction of a wooden data center sets a new benchmark for the global data center industry. As the global data center market continues to expand, data center carbon emissions are also increasing. Therefore, reducing data center carbon emissions has become a focal point for the industry. Microsoft's innovative approach provides new insights for the sustainable development of the data center industry and actively contributes to global efforts in combating climate change.

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