The Open Compute Project Foundation (OCP) has announced a new collaboration with leading technology companies, including AWS, Google, Meta, and Microsoft, to test and promote the use of low embodied carbon concrete, also known as “green concrete,” in data center construction.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to drive the adoption of environmentally responsible building materials, and the project aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with data center construction by developing concrete mixes that reduce carbon impact by more than 50% per cubic yard.
The project reportedly involves testing four different concrete mixes with varying levels of global warming potential, the lowest of which achieved the targeted 50% reduction in carbon emissions compared to standard concrete. The formulations use alternative cements and complementary materials that are commercially available but have not yet been widely adopted due to perceived risks and implementation difficulties.
Sustainable construction practices
The announcement was made during a demonstration event held 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 will accelerate the industry’s transition to more sustainable practices.
The move is seen as a crucial step towards reducing the carbon footprint of data centre construction and promoting sustainable construction practices across the industry. The results will be compiled in a technical report and made publicly available to encourage the wider adoption of low embodied carbon concrete. The comprehensive testing plan includes laboratory and field evaluations to assess the performance of these new mixes, and the results will inform future industry practices.
