X
You know what’s noisy? Technological innovation.
Cutting-edge technologies, such as generative AI, cloud computing, and software-as-a-service all have one gigantic need: data centers.
These data centers are the fuel source for expanding the reach and impact of companies all around the world… But they make a lot of noise. Noise is often an unintentional byproduct of human innovation, going back as far as the Industrial Revolution. While the gains from increased processing capabilities will undoubtedly help businesses, these data centers run the risk of being noisy neighbors for nearby residents.
According to research from McKinsey, by 2030, data centers are projected to need $6.7 trillion to keep pace with demand for computing power. That’s a lot of capital investment – and, to keep pace with the demand, many new facilities and accompanying power stations will need to be built or renovated.
Some data centers, such as OpenAI’s Stargate AI in Norway, is on track to have 100,000 graphics processing units (GPUs) by the end of 2026. That’s an astonishing amount, and the size of these facilities is always growing. To solve this acoustic issue, Oeler Industries recommends a variety of acoustical treatments, a combination of acoustic barriers, floor underlayments, and vibration isolation products.
With any computer components, even in the device you’re reading this blog article on right now, cooling is king. Components need to stay within a specified temperature range to maximize their lifespan and energy efficiency. This means that heat generated from the server rooms must be expelled. Acoustic louvers can be applied to the systems expelling this heat. These louvers act as a noise barrier without reducing any air intake capabilities. Lagging around duct work enhances sound absorption and thermal insulation, and can reduce noise by up to 20 decibels.
On-site backup generators need to be ready to operate on a moment’s notice. Any power outages can mean delays and downtime, which is unacceptable for the organizations and end users utilizing data center functions. Of course, these generators are quite loud. Depending on the location of the generator, industrial sound enclosures or acoustic vinyl barriers can be used to lower the sound levels. Particularly if the backup generator is indoors, floor underlayments may also be used to limit vibrations.
As the size of both data centers and their power needs balloon, on-site power stations are becoming more common. For example, OpenAI’s Stargate in Abilene, TX plans to use natural gas to supplement their use of grid power. According to the Wall Street Journal, the expected capacity of this facility is a gigawatt of electricity. That’s roughly one-tenth of the power required to keep electricity flowing on a peak summer day in New York City – and on-site power stations of this scale can make a great deal of unwanted noise. Industrial sound enclosures reinforced with a vinyl decoupling barrier layer can surround the structure, keeping the electricity flowing while reducing the noise going out into the environment.
Solving these noise problems is an attainable goal. Acoustic treatments can be applied to data centers that are already built or in construction, but if proper noise mitigation is considered during the planning and design process, it can be seamlessly integrated by the property owners before the facility comes on line. Efficiency is the name of the game, especially with data center construction booming. At a minimum, all data centers must operate within their region’s noise laws. Utilizing Oeler Industries, Inc. as a partner during the planning process will help your facility meet legislative noise requirements without monopolizing valuable brain- and human-power that can be dedicated to other ares of the project. After all, appropriate sound blocking and absorption becomes much more expensive and difficult to retrofit after build out, as noted in the GSA whitepaper Sound Matters.
Oeler Industries, Inc. has all the products needed to contain these noisy environments, but we also have the expertise to completely take the concerns regarding acoustics off the table for developers and contractors. A chef could manage a kitchen, personally prepare food, and act as a waiter, but that isn’t an efficient use of a chef’s time. Oeler Industries’ roster of acoustical experts can be trusted to manage the noise mitigation aspects of any project, while contractors and developers can focus on bringing the rest of the data center to life.
Have a project? We’d like to work on it with you. Contact us today.