The Role of Data Centers in AI-Powered Searches and Water Consumption

For over 60 years, data centers have been essential to business operations. It began with the integration of mainframe computers into daily workflows, which led leaders to encounter various challenges. Businesses began to recognize the importance of keeping the systems cool and secure, so they dedicated specific rooms to ensure optimal performance and system reliability. That is where data centers originated.

Data Center Growth from the 1990s to Present

The rise of the Internet in the 1990s led to the development of even larger, off-site data centers that hosted websites, email systems and more. These facilities housed not just servers, but a complex web of storage devices, networking gear and the essential systems for power, cooling and security that kept the digital world online.

Today, we are in the midst of an even more profound transformation driven by Artificial Intelligence. While exact figures for AI-specific data centers are not known due to the emerging nature of the growth, the investment is staggering. A recent New York Times article highlighted that in the United States alone, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta and OpenAI have committed to spending over $300 billion in 2025, with a significant portion dedicated to building out AI infrastructure. At the heart of this revolution lies a critical challenge: managing the immense heat generated by AI workloads.

Viega’s valve and press-fit technologies are an essential part of solving that challenge.

Closed-Loop Cooling Systems: Why Are They Important?

Powering the AI revolution requires more than cutting-edge technology at the chip level. It requires an infrastructure that can support unprecedented thermal challenges. According to IEEE Spectrum’s article, “Future Chips Will Be Hotter Than Ever,” AI chipsets generating over 1,000 watts of heat per unit have rendered air cooling obsolete. With water’s thermal conductivity being 20 times greater than air, liquid cooling is now essential for preventing system failures.

Closed-loop configurations, where coolant continuously circulates without evaporating, have emerged as the sustainable solution. These systems require piping capable of withstanding extreme thermal cycling and preventing leaks that could damage sensitive hardware.

We know that significant amounts of water are required to support advanced cooling systems. It is estimated that a single AI-powered search uses between one and five cups of water.

Looking ahead to 2027, up to 6.6 trillion liters of water per year may be needed to maintain AI-related workloads, according to the Global Water Consumption by Generative Artificial Intelligence report.

At Viega, sustainability isn't a separate initiative; it's engineered into our core operational strategy. We have set a clear, ambitious goal: achieving climate-neutral operations by 2035. This commitment is backed by our investments in renewables, energy efficiency and data- driven transparency.

Innovation Pairs with Engineering for Peak Performance

Viega’s commitment to sustainability is just the start. That comprehensive strategy meets application in a state-of-the-art, 250,000-square-foot data center currently taking shape in Texas. This facility represents the future of AI infrastructure, and its developers have turned to Viega to engineer a cooling system equal to the task.

At the core of their advanced closed-loop cooling system are Viega’s precision-engineered Hose Cap Valves. This project is a testament to the trust placed in the entire Viega ecosystem, which provides a complete, end-to-end solution.