To the present moment, there are no portrayals of Eastern European data centers belonging to the category of gorges for the natural cooling of structures of this type, but the region provides for experiments on the usage of innovative approaches to data center sustainability. For example, in Austria, the Schwarz IT Data Center DC 10 employs river water from the nearby Salzach River for its primary cooling system. Through the use of the RAB, the building enjoys naturally propelled temperatures from the river, hence reducing the power usage of mechanically propelled air conditioning, thus getting a low PUE ratio of 1.1.
In the same way, in Slovakia, the Digitalis data center utilizes direct and indirect free cooling and cooling techniques that include adiabatic evaporation cooling and hybrid cooling towers as well. This makes it possible for the facility to reduce its cooling expenses by as much as two-thirds while offering the best conditions for operation. These cases shed light on a rather large trend throughout Eastern Europe where are incorporating eco-friendly cooling solutions that harness the forces of nature and state-of-the-art technologies to improve efficiency and embrace environmental conservation.
Armenian Data Center Leverages Gorge for Eco-Friendly Cooling
At present, there are no known Armenian data centers utilizing gorges for cooling at this time; however, designing and implementing such a system is feasible. Thus, the numerous mountains in Armenia and the climate in gorges have the potential of naturally controlling temperatures in data centers and thereby reducing conventional cooling methods.
This idea correlates with the current worldwide tendencies of developing green infrastructure and can define Armenia as a country innovative in implementing eco-friendly data centers. Though such solutions are not in practice yet, much can be considered in the future, especially with the growing interest in green technology.
Google’s Chiller-less Data Center in Belgium Enhances Energy Efficiency
Many specialists have noted that Google has been one of the first companies that act in the direction of creating efficiency in data centers’ energy consumption. Currently, the company has a data center in Belgium that has one of the most efficient cooling systems, which does not use chillers. However, the operation of the facility does not require a chemical refrigeration system: instead, the climate of Europe allows the cooling of power equipment by airing. All of these help to cut down energy consumption and fully complement Google’s sustainable policy.
Thus, the omission of chillers in Google’s Belgian facility reduces not only the costs of operation but also lessens the impact of the company’s data centers on the environment. This initiative is one of many that Google has taken in efforts to increase energy efficiency in data centers across the world, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Orange Installs Solar Panels on Romanian Data Center
In July 2023, Orange Romania stated that over 200 solar panels were installed on the building roof of its communication interconnection facility in Timisoara. This is in line with Orange Group’s long-term strategic vision of its operations to be carbon neutral by the year 2040. In particular, the most numerous and largest solar panels would have a power of 100 kW; this means they would provide 80 percent of the mean electric consumption at the data center on a sunny day. This percentage complements similar organizations in Constanța and Brașov, so the number of functional solar panels is 650 across these facilities.
Moreover, at this time, Orange Romania has installed solar panels for use at 133 telecom sites with the goal of lowering its carbon emissions linked to operations. Extending this program to 300 network sites and 4 communication interconnection centers by 2026 shows the company’s commitment to sustainable energy.
Vertiv and Tecogen Collaborate on Natural Gas-Powered Cooling Solutions
Vertiv, a company that deals with critical digital infrastructure in March 2025 entered into a partnership with Tecogen, which is a clean energy company that focuses on efficient cooling equipment. This partnership is meant to provide chiller technology that will operate on natural gas to data centers around the globe since power challenges remain a rampant menace, and with more deployment of artificial intelligence applications in data centers, the need for natural gas chiller technology is extremely important. Tecogen’s products have been implemented in applications that require full cycles; these include healthcare and process cooling, thereby making them fit for data center industries.
This means that the incorporation of Tecogen natural gas-powered chillers into Vertiv’s critical power portfolio provides data center managers with more options in managing grid dependence, energy efficiency, and outcomes. It is cozy still, as both companies shall strive to provide intangible and fixed assets that shall harness technology and renewable resources to enhance efficiency.
European Data Centers Embrace Free Cooling Techniques
The use of free cooling is gradually gaining popularity among data centers located in Europe to improve energy utilization effectiveness and minimize the impact on the climate. For example, Equinix’s PA10 data center in Paris takes its waste heat to heat the Olympic Aquatics Center. Through the utilization of waste heat generated through other processes and utilizing it in the heating system, it saves about 1,800 metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually.
Such techniques are in line with tendencies in European facilities to adopt environmentally friendly processes like deploying fresh air and water for cooling to reduce power usage. Modern and efficient techniques such as free cooling can be employed in data center operation, and effective use of waste heat can substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
