AI is reshaping the data center industry faster than any prior wave of demand. Power needs are rising, communities are paying closer attention, and grid timelines are stretching. On the latest episode of The Data Center Frontier Show, Page Haun of Cologix explains what sustainability really looks like in the AI era, and why it has become a core design requirement, not a side initiative.

Haun describes today’s moment as a “perfect storm,” where AI-driven growth meets grid constraints, community scrutiny, and regulatory pressure. The industry is responding through closer collaboration among operators, utilities, and governments, sharing long-term load forecasts and infrastructure plans. But one challenge remains: communication. Data centers still struggle to explain their essential role in the digital economy, from healthcare and education to entertainment and AI services.

Cologix’s Montreal 8 facility, which recently achieved LEED Gold certification, shows how sustainable design is becoming standard practice. The project focused on energy efficiency, water conservation, responsible materials, and reduced waste, lowering both environmental impact and operating costs. Those lessons now shape how Cologix approaches future builds.

High-density AI changes everything inside the building. Liquid cooling is becoming central because it delivers tighter thermal control with better efficiency, but flexibility is the real priority. Facilities must support multiple cooling approaches so they don’t become obsolete as hardware evolves. Water stewardship is just as critical. Cologix uses closed-loop systems that dramatically reduce consumption, achieving an average WUE of 0.203, far below the industry norm.

Sustainability also starts with where you build. In Canada, Cologix leverages hydropower in Montreal and deep lake water cooling in Toronto. In California, natural air cooling cuts energy use. Where geography doesn’t help, partnerships do. In Ohio, Cologix is deploying onsite fuel cells to operate while new transmission lines are built, covering the full cost so other utility customers aren’t burdened.

Community relationships now shape whether projects move forward. Cologix treats communities as long-term partners, not transactions, by holding town meetings, working with local leaders, and supporting programs like STEM education, food drives, and disaster relief.

Transparency ties it all together. In its 2024 ESG report, Cologix reported 65% carbon-free energy use, strong PUE and WUE performance, and expanded environmental certifications. As AI scales, openness about impact is becoming a competitive advantage.

Haun closed with three non-negotiables for AI-era data centers: flexible power and cooling design, holistic resource management, and a real plan for renewable energy, backed by strong community engagement. In the age of AI, sustainability isn’t a differentiator anymore. It’s the baseline.

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