Palm oil to cool data centres? Malaysia explores option as water demand surges
Malaysia is taking palm oil from the frying pan to server racks, as it banks on its biggest agricultural commodity to crack a code plaguing its data centre boom – keeping servers cool. Researchers at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) are developing a palm-based liquid to cool computer servers without relying on copious volumes of water, as the country grapples with high resource demands to…
Malaysia is pursuing an innovative solution to address cooling needs in its rapidly expanding data centre industry – by using palm oil. Researchers at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) are developing a palm-based liquid coolant, called Sawit EcoTherm, to replace water-intensive traditional cooling methods. This technology could potentially reduce water consumption in data centres by up to 40 percent and lower energy consumption by up to 40 percent as well.
The Sawit EcoTherm coolant has been successfully tested in an operational environment, with a licensing agreement being finalized with a local manufacturer. The cost of the palm-based coolant is estimated between US$2.44 and US$6.10 per kilogram, significantly lower than the US$12.20 to US$19.52 per kilogram of synthetic and petroleum-based alternatives.
However, sustainability concerns have been raised, as palm-derived cooling fluids could potentially lead to more deforestation or land clearing if demand increases. Experts emphasize that the environmental impact should be assessed throughout the entire lifecycle, from feedstock to end-of-life, and that traceable and certified palm oil should be used.
Despite these concerns, the adoption of palm oil-based coolants could help alleviate pressure on freshwater resources, preserve supplies for essential uses, and potentially support stronger pricing for the palm oil industry.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
