Speaking of rock solid, tech giants are joining forces to create a global standard on… concrete?
The Open Compute Project Foundation (OCP) has announced a new collaboration with leading technology companies such as AWS, Google, Meta and Microsoft to test and promote the use of low-carbon concrete, also known as “green concrete,” in data center construction.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to advance the use of environmentally friendly building materials. The project aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with data center construction by developing concrete mixes that reduce the carbon footprint by more than 50% per cubic meter.
The project reportedly involves testing four different concrete mixes with varying global warming potentials, with the lowest concrete mix achieving the targeted 50% reduction in carbon emissions compared to standard concrete. The formulas use alternative cements and additives that are commercially available but have not yet been widely adopted due to perceived risks and implementation difficulties.
Sustainable building practices
The announcement was made during a demonstration event on August 8 at the Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE) facility in Northbrook, Illinois.
The event was attended by senior representatives from AWS, Google, Meta and Microsoft, as well as members of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the U.S. Department of Energy and other government and environmental organizations.
Through this open source approach, the project aims to build trust in new concrete technologies and create a market force that accelerates the industry’s transition to more sustainable practices.
This move is considered a critical step in reducing the carbon footprint of data center construction and promoting sustainable construction practices across the industry. The results will be summarized in a white paper and made publicly available to encourage the wider adoption of low-carbon concrete. The comprehensive testing plan includes both laboratory and field tests to evaluate the performance of these new mixes. The results will serve as a basis for future industry practices.
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