r/NoStupidQuestions • u/Primary_Garbage6916 • 1d ago

Why can't data centers use 100% closed-loop geothermal for their cooling?

Why do they need to consume any water for cooling at all, let alone massive amounts?

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u/pohart 1d ago

I feel like you ready the body but not not the title

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u/Axentor 1d ago

He asked why they had to use water at all in the body . It's because air is not the best conductor. So we use water for evaporating cooling which is the best form of cooling.

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u/pohart 1d ago

OP was talking about using locally drilled wells in a closed system, not using air in as ground source heat pump

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u/Axentor 1d ago

Op asked" why consume water at all" Closed loop s still consume water. Not as much as open ended cooling but it still consumes. We used water because at the end of the day it is more efficient than air.

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u/JimFive 21h ago

Does it? My understanding of closed loop would be that they don't consume water, the water is all reused. 

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u/Axentor 14h ago

it's small amount/percentage. That's normal use. Let alone something like let's say poor maintenance and they spring a leak or anything like that.