As mentioned above, one of the areas Amazon is powering more sustainably is its network of data centres. Amazon company Amazon Web Services (AWS) is often applauded as the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud, with it offering more than 200 fully-featured services from data centres worldwide.
As well as adopting advanced cooling techniques, optimising power usage and designing for energy efficiency to make its data centres greener, Amazon is transforming its facilities by integrating renewable energy sources and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to minimise environmental impact.
Through strategic investments, innovative technologies and the pursuit of ambitious renewable energy goals, Amazon is setting a high standard for corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship, particularly when it comes to its data centres.
How is Amazon preparing for future energy demands?
Thanks to further adoption of technologies like AI – which although can boost energy efficiency, is power hungry itself — there is an ever-growing need to diversify to meet future energy demands.
Doing so while remaining committed to its Climate Pledge to become net-zero carbon by 2040, there are five key ways Amazon is preparing for what the future holds for itself and its customers.
- Matching 100% of the electricity consumed by Amazon operations with renewable energy: As mentioned above, Amazon met this goal in 2023, seven years before its 2030 ambition. To achieve this, it has invested in more than 500 solar and wind projects worldwide, resulting in more than 28GW of new energy capacity when all are operational
- Advocating for grid modernisation: “One of our long-term goals is to make every electricity grid where we operate net-zero carbon for everyone,” Amazon said
- Deploying renewable energy in places that rely heavily on fossil fuels: These countries include India, Poland and southeastern states US
- Running data centres more efficiently: This follows a study by Accenture which says an effective way to minimise the impact of data centres and AI is by moving IT workloads from on-premises infrastructure to AWS data centres
- Incorporating sustainability practices into the design and construction of Amazon buildings: For example, one of Amazon’s newest Same-Day fulfilment centres in California is set to make history as the world’s first fulfilment facility to achieve Zero Carbon Certification status.
“Our teams will remain ambitious and continue to do what is right for our business, our customers and the planet,” Kara said. “That’s why we’ll continue investing in solar and wind projects — while also supporting other forms of carbon-free energy, like nuclear, battery storage and emerging technologies — that can help power our operations for decades to come.”
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