Karmactive Staff

Microsoft Tests Timber to Cut Data Center Emissions by 65%

Microsoft's datacenter division shocked the industry by switching to cross-laminated timber construction, slashing carbon emissions by 35% versus traditional steel builds.

Photo Source: Robert Scoble (CC BY 2.0)

How does engineered wood outperform steel in fire safety? The answer challenges conventional wisdom about datacenter construction.

Photo Source: Carl Lender (CC BY 2.0)

The hybrid construction approach combines CLT with concrete and steel, achieving a remarkable 65% reduction in carbon footprint compared to standard precast concrete methods.

Photo Source: Washington State Dept of Transportation (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

While CLT materials cost 5-10% more upfront, Microsoft's innovative construction strategy cuts both build time and labor needs significantly.

Photo Source: Province of British Columbia (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Can Microsoft's $761 million investment transform the sustainable construction materials market beyond datacenters?

Photo Source: Robert Scoble (CC BY 2.0)

Global emissions data reveals why this matters: construction and buildings generate 37% of carbon emissions, with steel and cement production contributing 15%.

Photo Source: mohamed Zekry (Pexels)

Engineering lead David Swanson's team rigorously tests these wood materials against datacenter-specific challenges and environmental demands.

Photo Source: Alanur Ö. (Pexels)

Despite reducing direct emissions by 6.3% over three years, Microsoft's indirect emissions rose 30.9% due to datacenter expansion.

Photo Source: Idaho National Laboratory (CC BY 2.0)

What drives a tech giant to pioneer sustainable construction while managing explosive growth in cloud computing demand?

Photo Source: PxHere

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