Digital Realty Honored for Green Innovation at 24th Singapore Environmental Achievement Awards

18 Aug, 2023

Digital Realty Honored for Green Innovation at 24th Singapore Environmental Achievement Awards

On August 18, 2023, Digital Realty (NYSE: DLR), a prominent global provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions, proudly announced its achievement in winning the esteemed "Green Innovations: Water Solutions" award at the 24th Singapore Environmental Achievement Awards (SEAA). This initiative was recognized for its positive impact on environmental sustainability and its contribution to Singapore's economy and society.

Digital Realty's groundbreaking water-saving initiative at its SIN10 facility marks a significant milestone in Singapore's data center sector. Through the utilization of DeCaIon (DCI) electrolysis, the innovation eliminates the need for chemical treatment in cooling towers, specifically for blow-down water discharge – the process of draining water from cooling equipment to remove the mineral accumulation. This unique approach triples the reuse potential of the same water pool within the SIN10 cooling towers, resulting in a monthly saving of 1.24 million liters of water. This innovation has led to a remarkable 90% reduction in monthly blow-down water discharge at SIN10 and a 15% enhancement in water usage efficiency (WUE). This achievement surpasses the industry benchmark set by the Singapore Public Utilities Board, which established a standard of 2.6 Cu.m/MWh for data centers, outperforming it by 30%.

Digital Realty's commitment to sustainability extends beyond this specific project. The company is evaluating the potential implementation of this water-saving solution across its extensive global portfolio of more than 300 data centers, aiming to replicate the remarkable resource efficiencies achieved in Singapore.

Isabella Huang-Loh, SEC Chairman, emphasized the significance of innovative sustainability efforts like Digital Realty's in driving transformative change and progress in the region. This award reinforces Singapore's dedication to sustainability and the shared goal of shaping a greener future for generations.

Jon Curry, Vice President of Operations, Asia Pacific at Digital Realty, expressed the company's gratitude for the recognition from the Singapore Environmental Council. He highlighted Digital Realty's broader commitment to sustainability, ranging from its support for new temperature standards for tropical data centers to contributions in cooling solutions research and development, and the incorporation of renewable electricity sources whenever feasible. This comprehensive approach demonstrates Digital Realty's endeavor to minimize environmental impact while setting new benchmarks for sustainability within the industry.

Digital Realty is committed to leading the global data center sector in environmentally conscious practices. Notably, the company was the first of its size and scale to adopt aggressive science-based emissions reduction targets, achieving a significant 43% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2022. Through its pioneering efforts, Digital Realty aims to set a higher standard for environmental performance in the industry, ensuring a more sustainable future.