Slough's Giant Data Center Cluster May Be Raising Local Temperatures
Residents of Slough say summer heat feels harsher this year, and researchers warn the town’s dense data-center complex could be adding to a local heat-island effect.
In Slough, England, locals are feeling the strain of a record-breaking summer, describing the heat as more oppressive than in previous years. The town sits adjacent to one of the world’s largest data-center clusters, with about 40 facilities operating within two miles of its centre. Research from the University of Cambridge suggests that data centres can create a heat-island effect, raising nearby temperatures by an average of 3.6 °F and sometimes causing spikes up to 16 °F. Although Slough was not part of the study, co-author Andrea Marinoni says the sheer scale of the hub raises questions about its local impact.
Digital Realty, which manages several of the sites for major tech firms, claims its buildings use reflective roofing, green space and efficient cooling to keep heat emissions low. Nonetheless, scholars such as Ladd Keith of the University of Arizona argue that the sheer footprint of such facilities could make them the worst contributors to urban warming, urging more data on waste heat across different climates.
Why it matters
Understanding how data-center clusters affect local climate helps cities plan for heat mitigation and sustainable tech growth.
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