Data center Switchgear - a threat to white winters?

For non-engineers, a good way to describe the switchgear is as the nervous system of the data center. It connects, disconnects, distributes, and protects power. It also helps during blackouts by isolating faults and managing power distribution during outages.

But switchgear sometimes have a large hidden environmental cost. Although switchgear is only one small source globally, SF6 emissions contribute disproportionately to melting glaciers and brown winters because of the gas’s extremely high GWP.

SF6 – the most potent greenhouse gas in use

When you turn on the lamp, you can sometimes see a flash. This is something that happens when power is switched on and off.

In switchgear, the electrical power levels are much higher and the flashes from turning on and off the power can cause damage to the data center. To put the flash out, in some switchgear, there is insulation gas. If this gas is SF6 – it has a huge carbon footprint. SF6 is in the top of the most potent greenhouse gas used.

SF6 is a pressurized gas. If it can, it will leak. 1 kg of SF6 gas equals roughly 24,000 kg of CO2. For colocation providers, this means increased Scope 1 emissions - that could have been avoided had you set proper procurement criteria for switchgear.

Ask your supplier this:

• Does the switchgear contain SF6?

• What gas is used instead—and what is its GWP?

• Is it part of the PFAS family?

• What is the risk when F-gas regulations tighten?

SF₆ alternatives exist – but they all come with trade-offs. Alternatives include vacuum and air-insulated systems, as well as newer gas mixtures with lower GWPs. Each comes with different trade-offs in footprint, cost, material use, or chemical profile.

However, comparing all these risks, after having worked with SF6 for over a decade and seen the leaks over the life spans of the products, including the legal risks, the monitoring and reporting, I would choose any other solution than SF6.

Steel and copper in the switchgear

The enclosure of switchgear represents a large share of the weight and environmental impact of low- and medium-voltage switchgear.

This is typically the data centers' scope 3 emissions upstream.

• Check for low-carbon alternatives, recycled steel, or other solutions.

• Ask for an EPD or LCA to prove the reduced carbon footprint.

Copper is also used, and because copper requires energy-intensive extraction and refining, its carbon footprint is higher than steel. Depending on sourcing and production methods, one kilogram of copper may carry the embodied carbon of several kilograms of steel.

Copper is found in busbars. Busbars are electrical conductors – like cables but for higher currents and without the plastic coating. The risk profile of the copper depends heavily on its origin.

Large amounts of the world’s copper are produced in South America, Africa, and Asia. The mining process is associated with severe environmental damage—including water pollution and deforestation. It also often comes with social issues such as land conflicts and health risks for local communities, according to the World Economic Forum.

You can reduce the environmental and human rights risks by asking for your suppliers' due diligence process, findings, and actions.

• Ask your supplier where the copper is produced and if they have done supplier audits of the mines.

• Ask if you can see the findings.

• If not, ask what your supplier is doing to reduce the environmental and social risks from the copper.

These are tough questions, and it is not likely that your supplier has this under control. Maybe you can work together to ask the suppliers further up your supply chain? Two are stronger than one.