Talking Data Center Sustainability With Sean Farney
In our Earth Day edition, DCF Editor Rich Miller talks with Sean Farney about the data center industry's progress on confronting climate change, and how sustainability has become a "board-level imperative" for all companies. Sean has been involved in some of the most innovative projects in digital infrastructure, including one of the first web-scale data centers deploying servers in containers, and an edge computing startup focused on converting retail stores into data centers. In a wide-ranging conversation, Sean and Rich discuss the future of backup power and the essential role of generators, the potential role of microgrids, the growing challenges procuring power in major global markets, and whether vacant retail and office space will become part of the edge computing, landscape. Here's a timeline of topics Sean and I discuss on the podcast: 7:00 - Sustainability as a "board-level imperative." 12:00 - Evolutionary steps and optimizing existing infrastructure. 17:45 - How microgrids can enable better sustainability and reliability. 21:30 - Site selection gets harder. Is "bring your own power" the future for hyperscale data centers? 25:30 - What edge infrastructure looks like, and how it may evolve. 30:00 - Can retail stores and office space be converted into digital infrastructure? Editor's Note: After we recorded this podcast, Sean began a new position with JLL.