Eco Tech: Iron Mountain takes data centers to limestone caves to save energy

Eco Factor: Limestone caves used to naturally cool data centers to save energy.

Of the total amount energy used by data centers, a major percentage goes into power hungry cooling systems. Iron Mountain is thinking of the possibility to stack data centers in underground limestone caverns, because by nature limestone can absorb 1.5 BTUs per square foot without using any energy in the process.

Iron Mountain is working to create low-cost and energy-efficient data centers in an abandoned limestone mine 22 stories down inside Iron Mountain, in a 145-acre space in a 1000-acre area. Rectangular metal containers cover the rows of server racks to trap heat. This heat is then forced through perforated ceiling tiles, where the limestone roof absorbs it. The simple technique can reduce data center’s energy use by up to 15%.