ATMOSPHERIC WATER GENERATOR FOR DATACENTERS

Abstract

Water for data center uses is generated from the ambient air by a water generator that cools air below its dew point, thereby causing the water in such air to precipitate out. The water generator is powered by renewable energy sources that provide a sufficient amount of energy over an extended period of time, despite temporary interruptions. Heated air from the data center is exhausted so as to absorb moisture from the ambient air, with such heated air being capable of holding a greater amount of moisture, and is then directed through the water generator, thereby enabling the water generator to generate a greater amount of water. The level of water available is monitored and the water generator utilizes on-demand power sources to generate a greater amount of water so as to avoid emptying water storage units.

Description

BACKGROUND

The throughput of communications, between multiple computing devices that are transmitted via network connections, continues to increase. Modern networking hardware enables physically separate computing devices to communicate with one another orders of magnitude faster than was possible with prior generations of networking hardware. Furthermore, high-speed network communication capabilities are being made available to a greater number of people, both in the locations where people work, and in their homes. As a result, an increasing amount of data and services can be meaningfully provided via such network communications. As a result, the utility of computing devices increasingly lies in their ability to communicate with one another. For example, users of computing devices traditionally used to utilize computing devices for content creation, such as the creation of textual documents or graphical images. Increasingly, however, the most popular utilizations of computing devices are in the browsing of information sourced from other computing devices, the interaction with other users of other computing devices, the utilization of the processing capabilities of other computing devices and the like.

In particular, it has become more practical to perform digital data processing at a location remote from the location where such data is initially generated, and where the processed data will be consumed. For example, a user can upload a digital photograph to a server and then cause the server to process the digital photograph, changing its colors and applying other visual edits to it. In such an example, of the digital processing that is being performed is being performed by a device that is remote from the user. Indeed, in such an example, if the user was utilizing a battery-operated computing device to interact with the server such as, for example, a laptop or smartphone, the user could be in a location that was not receiving any electrical power at all. Instead, electrical power can have been delivered to the server, which is remote from the user, and the server can have utilized electrical power to process the data provided by the user and then return the processed data to the user. In such an example, the user was able to perform processing on digital data without receiving any electrical power and instead, receiving, only the result of the work performed by electrical power, namely the processed data that was performed by the server computing device that has consumed electrical power that was delivered to the location where the server was located.

To provide such data and processing capabilities, via network communications, from a centralized location, the centralized location typically comprises hundreds or thousands of computing devices, typically mounted in vertically oriented racks. Such a collection of computing devices, as well as the associated hardware necessary to support such computing devices, and the physical structure that houses the computing devices and associated hardware, is traditionally referred to as a “data center”. With the increasing availability of high-speed network communication capabilities, and thus the increasing provision of data and services from centralized locations, as well as the traditional utilization of data centers, such as the provision of advanced computing services and massive amounts of computing processing capability, the size and quantity of datacenters continues to increase.

However, data centers often consume large quantities of electrical power, especially by the computing devices themselves. Increasingly, the cost of obtaining such electrical power is becoming a primary determinant in the economic success of a data center. Consequently, data centers are being located in areas where the data centers can obtain electrical power in a cost-effective manner. In some instances, data centers are being located in areas that can provide inexpensive electrical power directly, such as areas in which electricity can be purchased from electrical utilities or governmental electrical facilities inexpensively. In other instances, however, data centers are being located in areas where natural resources, from which electrical power can be derived, are abundant and can be obtained inexpensively. Unfortunately, areas where electrical power may be obtained inexpensively are often areas where water is a scarce and expensive resource. Additionally, as the cost of water continues to increase, due to the increasing demand for water, the water utilized by a data center can become a significant operational cost. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, water is utilized in many aspects of data center operations, including, for example, the cooling of data centers, such as through adiabatic coolers. Consequently, the increased cost of water can offset the efficiencies gained by locating a data center in an area having an abundance of natural resources from which electrical power can be derived.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, water for a data center can be obtained from the ambient air, via water generators that cool the ambient air below its dew point, thereby causing the water vapor present in such ambient air to precipitate out as generated water.

In another embodiment, the data center water generators can be powered by renewable energy sources, such as wind power or solar power. Such renewable energy sources can provide sufficient energy over an extended period of time, even though their energy supplying capabilities may be temporarily interrupted.

In yet another embodiment, hot air being exhausted from the data center can be directed so as to absorb moisture from the ambient air, with such hot exhaust air being capable of holding a greater amount of moisture than the ambient air. The hot exhaust air, now having absorbed moisture from the ambient air, can then be passed through the water generator, thereby generating a greater amount of water.

In a further embodiment, processes executing on one or more of the computing devices of the data center can monitor the level of water in water storage units and can cause the water generator to utilize on-demand power sources to generate a greater amount of water so as to avoid emptying such water storage units.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Additional features and advantages will be made apparent from the following detailed description that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description may be best understood when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a component diagram of an exemplary system for generating water for a data center from the ambient air;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an exemplary processing to avoid running out of water; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary general purpose computing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description relates to the generating of water, for data center uses, from the ambient air. A water generator can cool ambient air below its dew point, thereby causing the water vapor in such air to precipitate out as generated water. The water generator can be powered by renewable energy sources that can provide a sufficient amount of energy over an extended period of time, even though their energy supplying capability may be interrupted temporarily. The utilization of the generated water can occur during temporary, limited periods, such as during a few hours during the hottest days of the year, when such water can be utilized for additional cooling, such as adiabatic cooling. The generation of water by the water generator may proceed slowly, but consistently, while the utilization of the water may require greater quantities of water during a given instant, but occur only sporadically. Heated air from the data center can be exhausted so as to absorb moisture from the ambient air, with such heated air being capable of holding a greater amount of moisture. Having absorbed moisture from the ambient air, and now holding a greater amount of moisture, the heated air from the data center can then be directed through the water generator, thereby enabling the water generator to generate a greater amount of water. Processes executing on one or more of the computing devices of the data center can monitor the level of water available and can cause the water generator to utilize on-demand power sources to generate a greater amount of water so as to avoid emptying the water storage units.

The techniques described herein make reference to specific types of power supplies and specific types of utilizations of water. For example, reference is made to power generated from renewable energy sources, such as solar power or wind power. Similarly, reference is made to specific utilizations of water, such as for adiabatic cooling. Such references, however, are strictly exemplary and are made for ease of description and presentation, and are not intended to limit the mechanisms described to the specific power sources and specific utilizations of water enumerated. Instead, the techniques described herein are equally applicable, without modification, to the generation of water from the air utilizing processes powered by any type of power source. Additionally, the techniques described herein are equally applicable, without modification, to other utilizations of generated water, including the provision of potable water to humans, and the sale of water to third parties to offset other costs.

Although not required, aspects of the descriptions below will be provided in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computing device. More specifically, aspects of the descriptions will reference acts and symbolic representations of operations that are performed by one or more computing devices or peripherals, unless indicated otherwise. As such, it will be understood that such acts and operations, which are at times referred to as being computer-executed, include the manipulation by a processing unit of electrical signals representing data in a structured form. This manipulation transforms the data or maintains it at locations in memory, which reconfigures or otherwise alters the operation of the computing device or peripherals in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art. The data structures where data is maintained are physical locations that have particular properties defined by the format of the data.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the computing devices need not be limited to conventional server computing racks or conventional personal computers, and include other computing configurations, including hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Similarly, the computing devices need not be limited to a stand-alone computing device, as the mechanisms may also be practiced in distributed computing environments linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system 100 is illustrated for generating water from the air, thereby enabling the exemplary system 100 to be located in areas where power for the computing devices of a data center is available at a minimal cost, or where the cost of water may be high or increasing. The exemplary system 100 of FIG. 1 includes a data center 140 that can comprise one or more computing devices that can perform useful processing and communicate with other computing devices that are communicationally coupled to a network 190, to which the computing devices of the data center 140 are also communicationally coupled, such as via the network communications 191. The data center 140 can utilize water for various processes including, for example, for cooling purposes, such as would be provided by an adiabatic cooler 160, or other like cooling apparatus, as well as for other purposes including, for example, cleaning, lubrication, humidification, and the like. Yet another purpose for which a data center, such as the data center 140, can utilize water can be for power generation purposes. For example, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art, certain types of fuel cells require water for their operation. In another embodiment, the water generated by the water generator 110 can be potable water, which can be consumed by data center personnel, or which can be sold to offset other data center costs, such as power costs.

In one embodiment, a water generator 110 can generate water from the ambient air 130 and can provide such water to the data center 140, either directly as indicated by the water delivery apparatus 181, or to specific mechanisms of the data center 140, such as the adiabatic cooler 160, as indicated by the water delivery apparatus 182. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, an atmospheric water generator, such as the water generator 110, can generate water from the ambient air 130 by cooling the ambient air below its dew point, thereby causing water present in such ambient air 130 to precipitate out in the form of generated water.

The operational sub-diagram 111 illustrates one exemplary mechanism by which an atmospheric water generator, such as the water generator 110, can operate. As can be seen from the operational sub-diagram 111, the water generator 110 can comprise one or more condensing surfaces 120 that can be colder than the ambient air 130 and that can cool the ambient air 130 below its dew point such that water from the ambient air 130 precipitates out, typically by condensing on the condensing surface 120 and then being directed into a water storage unit, such as the water storage unit 119. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the condensing surface 120 can be made to be cooler than the ambient air 130 through various mechanisms which consume power, such as in the form of electrical energy. As will also be recognized by those skilled in the art, the amount of water that can be generated by the water generator 110 can depend on the size of the water generator 110, the amount of power utilized to cool the condensing surface 120, and the amount of moisture in the ambient air 130.

In one embodiment, the water generator 110 can be powered by renewable energy sources including electrical energy derived from sunlight, such as via one or more solar panels, such as the solar panel 172, and electrical or mechanical energy derived from wind power, such as can be obtained by one or more wind turbines, such as the wind turbine 173. As utilized herein, the term “renewable energy source” means any energy source that can be obtained without per-unit-energy costs, once infrastructure for capturing such energy has been provided for, and whose availability is often interrupted. In another embodiment, however, the water generator 110 can also be connected to an “on demand” energy source, such as the electrical grid 171. As utilized herein, the term “on-demand energy source” means any energy source that is obtained through the payment of per-unit-energy costs and whose availability is very rarely interrupted.

The water generated from the ambient air 130 by the water generator 110 can be stored in one or more water storage units, such as the water storage unit 119. Water can then be provided to the data center 140 from the water storage units as it is needed. In one embodiment, the data center 140 only utilizes the water from the water storage units in limited circumstances. In particular, the computing devices of the data center 140 may not require supplemental cooling, such as can be provided by the adiabatic cooler 160, except during limited periods of time. However, when such supplemental cooling is required, the adiabatic cooler 160 can utilize substantially more water, during a given period of time, than the water generator 110 can generate during that equivalent period of time.

As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, adiabatic cooling utilizes the heat-absorbing capabilities of the conversion of liquid water to water vapor to absorb the heat generated by, for example, the computing devices in the data center 140, thereby cooling the data center 140. While adiabatic cooling can be utilized continuously, in one embodiment, the computing devices of the data center 140 can operate by being cooled only by the air 130 so long as the ambient temperature of the air 130 is not above a threshold level that may be exceeded only rarely. For example, modern computing devices can be cooled effectively only through air movement so long as the ambient temperature of the air 130 is below 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Consequently, in such an embodiment, the adiabatic cooler 160 can be operated only when the ambient temperature of the air 130 exceeds, for example, 95 degrees Fahrenheit, or another like threshold temperature beyond which the server computing devices of the data center 140 can no longer be cooled effectively only through air movement.

If the location of the data center 140 is selected properly, there may be only a few days out of the year where the ambient temperature of the air 130 will exceed the threshold temperature beyond which the server computing devices of the data center 140 can no longer be cooled effectively only through air movement. Additionally, even on those days where the ambient temperature of the air 130 exceeds such a threshold temperature, it is likely to do so only for a few hours out of the day such as, for example, the mid-afternoon hours. Thus, in such an embodiment, the adiabatic cooler 160 may utilize water from the water storage unit 119 only for a few hours a day for only a handful of days out of the entire year.

If the water generator 110 is operated for a substantially greater amount of time than the adiabatic cooler 160, or other water consuming apparatus of the data center 140 is utilized, then the water storage unit 119 can, over time receive a sufficient amount of generated water from the water generator 110 to meet the needs of the data center 140. Thus, even if the amount of water being generated is nothing more than a “trickle”, or a small volume of water for any given time, the water storage unit 119 can still collect an adequate amount of water, since the water generator can generate water continuously. To provide an illustrative, but not necessarily empirical, example, the water generator 110 can deliver approximately 1 gallon of generated water to the water storage unit 119 for each twenty-four hours that the water generator 110 is in operation. Consequently, in such an illustrative example, over the course of a year, the water storage unit 119 can receive approximately 365 gallons of water. Continuing with such an illustrative example, the adiabatic cooler 160 can utilize ten gallons of water per hour to provide adiabatic cooling to the data center 140. Consequently, so long as the ambient temperature of the air 130 does not exceed the threshold temperature at which the adiabatic cooler 160 is to be engaged for more than approximately 36 hours each year, the water generator 110 will generate enough water for the data center 140 to maintain continuous operation and not require any external water source, nor any delivery of external water. Utilizing different terms, if the ambient temperature of the air 130 exceeds the threshold temperature at which the adiabatic cooler 160 is to be engaged for only 3 to 5 hours a day on the hottest days, then so long as there are less than 7 to 10 such days in a year, the water generator 110 will generate enough water for the data center 140 to maintain continuous operation and not require any external water source, nor any delivery of external water.

If renewable energy sources, such as the solar panel 172 or the wind turbine 173 are utilized to power the water generator 110, the water generator 110 can operate so long as those renewable energy sources can provide power to it, since no additional costs are incurred in doing so. Consequently, the water generator 110 can operate continuously, so long as power from those renewable energy sources is available to it. As illustrated previously, so long as the water generator 110 can receive such power, and can operate, sufficiently to generate the amount of water that may be required during limited periods of time, such as by an adiabatic cooler 160, the water generator 110 can provide all of the water required by the data center 140.

The amount of water generated by the water generator 110 can be directly related to the humidity of the ambient air 130, the amount of time that the water generator 110 operates, such as by receiving power from renewable energy sources, and the size of the water generator 110. Consequently, given historical climatological data, such as average humidity, and average windspeed, average number of sunny days, and other like data, the amount of time that the water generator 110 receives power can be determined, as can be the amount of water that can be generated for a given size of water generator 110 during that amount of time. The size of the water generator 110 can, thereby, be selected based on such historical climatological data and based upon the anticipated water needs of the data center 140. Again, as an illustrative, but not necessarily empirical example, if the location of the data center has high humidity during 100 days, medium humidity during 150 days, and low humidity during the rest of the days, and if that location also has sunshine 75% of the days, and if the data center 140 requires 550 gallons of water a year, then a water generator can be selected such that it generates 5 gallons of water during the days with high humidity and 2 gallons of water during the days with medium humidity, and only a negligible amount of water on the other days. Given that the water generator will only be operational an average of 75% of the days, if it is powered by solar panels, such as the solar panel 172, then, on average, the water generator should produce 5 gallons per day for 75% of the 100 high humidity days, or 375 gallons, and another 2 gallons per day for 75% of the 150 medium humidity days, or an additional 225 gallons. Thus, the average total for such an exemplary water generator would be 600 gallons a year, which means it can be considered to be correctly sized for an exemplary data center requiring 550 gallons per year.

By avoiding the need for external water, the system 100 of FIG. 1 can be located in locations where water may not be readily available, may be expensive or increasing in cost, or in locations where the necessary infrastructure to obtain water and then dispose of used water may be prohibitively expensive. Additionally, by generating the water required by the data center 140, not only can the location of the system 100 be made to be more flexible, and not only can the costs of water itself be saved, but the costs of water delivery and water removal, such as piping, sewer and the like, can also be avoided.

In one embodiment, to reduce the need for water pumping apparatus, water from the water generator 110 can be stored in water storage units, such as the water storage unit 119, that are located physically above the aspects of the data center 140 that will utilize such water, thereby enabling the water to be delivered from the water storage units to such data center needs utilizing gravity. For example, the exemplary system 100 of FIG. 1 illustrates a water delivery apparatus 181 that can deliver water to the data center 140, and a water delivery apparatus 182 that can deliver water to the adiabatic cooler 160. Such water delivery apparatus can be constructed of a material along which water can flow efficiently and not be contaminated such as, for example, metals such as copper, or plastics such as PVC.

In one embodiment, to increase the efficiency of the water generator 110, the hot air exhaust 150 from the data center 140 can be directed through the water generator 110. In particular, and as illustrated more fully by the operational diagram 112, the hot air exhaust 150 that is exhausted from the data center 140 can comprise exhaust air 151 that is hotter than the ambient air 130. Given that such exhaust air 151 is hotter than the ambient air 130, it has the capability of holding a greater amount of moisture than the ambient air 130. Consequently, moisture will be drawn to the hot exhaust air 151 from the ambient air 130. The exhaust air 151, having absorbed moisture from the ambient air 130, and, due to its higher temperature, being able to hold more moisture than the ambient air 130, can then be directed through the water generator 110. The water generator 110 can operate in the same manner described previously except that, with the exhaust air 151 having a higher temperature than the ambient air 130, and, consequently, having a higher water content, the water generator 110 can generate more water from such exhaust air 151.

In another embodiment, the hot air exhaust 150 can be directed across the water generator 110 only, or especially, when the adiabatic cooler 160 is operational. As will be known to those skilled in the art, the operation of the adiabatic cooler 160 introduces humidity into the air of the data center 140, since the adiabatic cooler operates by evaporation, as described in detail above. Consequently, the hot exhaust air 151 of the data center 140, when the adiabatic cooler 160 is operational, may have a high moisture content already. In such an embodiment, by redirecting such exhaust air 151, when the adiabatic cooler 160 is operational, across the water generator 110, can enable the water generator 110 to recapture some of the water lost during the adiabatic cooling process performed by the adiabatic cooler 160. In another embodiment, rather than redirecting the exhaust air 151 across the water generator 110, an opening for the exhaust air 151 can be below the water generator 110, such that the water generator is on top of the data center 140, and the exhaust air 151 of the data center naturally flows through the water generator 110 as it rises, thereby enabling the water generator 110 to recapture some of the water lost to evaporation during an adiabatic cooling process.

Although not illustrated in the exemplary system 100 of FIG. 1 to maintain illustrative simplicity, the system 100 of FIG. 1 can include various sensors whose output can be provided to one or more computing devices of the data center 140. Such sensors can include water level sensors that can communicate the amount of water remaining in the water storage units, such as the water storage unit 119, as well as various weather data sensors including sensors for detecting the amount of moisture in the ambient air 130. Such information can then be utilized to more effectively control the water generator 110.

Turning to FIG. 2, the flow diagram 200 shown therein illustrates an exemplary series of steps that can be performed by processes executed by one or more of the computing devices of the data center 140, or by remote computing devices, to more effectively control the water generator 110. Initially, as illustrated by step 210, sensor data from one or more of the sensors of the water storage units can be received, thereby indicating the level of water remaining in the water storage units. In another embodiment, the water stored sensor data received at step 210 can comprise other information such as, for example, the rate at which the water is being depleted, or increased, the temperature of the water, the purity of the water, or other like data.

In one embodiment, as an optional step, thereby indicated via dashed lines in the flow diagram 200 of FIG. 2, weather forecast data can be received at step 220 and utilized in the subsequent processing. Such weather forecast data can include both the short-term forecasts that provide specific temperature ranges for specific days, and long-term forecasts that provide temperature trends for more generically defined periods of time. Subsequently, at step 230, the anticipated water usage can be estimated given the current processing being performed by the data center and given the historical climatological data of the region where the data center is located. For example, if the historical climatological data indicates that a hot season has ended and that the chances for daytime high temperatures that exceed a threshold temperature at which adiabatic cooling is to be initiated decrease over the next several months, than the anticipated water usage determined at step 230 can be negligible. As another example, if the historical climatological data indicates that a hot season will typically last for several more weeks, and recent historical climatological data indicates that the current hot season has been above average, the anticipated water usage determined at step 230 can be greater than it would typically be. If short- or long-term forecast data was received at step 220, then such forecast data can be taken into account in anticipating the water usage at step 230. Thus, for example, even if recent historical climatological data indicates that the current hot season has been above average, if long-term forecast data received at step 220 predicts cooler than normal whether for the next several weeks, the anticipated water usage can be reduced accordingly at step 230.

At step 240, an estimate can be made of the amount of water that will be added to the water storage units, such as through the water generator described in detail above. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the ambient temperature of the air and its humidity can determine the amount of moisture that is even in the air in the first place, and can also inform how much of that moisture can be captured as by the water generator as generated water. Thus, for example, if the historical climatological data indicates that temperatures will decrease going forward, than the anticipated water generation at step 240 can estimate a lesser amount of water being generated then if the historical climatological data indicated that temperatures will increase going forward. Similarly, if short- or long-term forecast data was received, such as at step 220, that too can be taken into account at step 240. Thus, if the short term forecast data indicated that a cold front would drop temperatures for the next several days, the anticipated water generation at step 240 can estimate a lesser amount of water being generated than it would otherwise have estimated.

At step 250, based on the anticipated water usage determined at step 230 and the anticipated water generation determined at step 240, a determination can be made as to whether the data center will run out of water. If it is determined, at step 250, that the data center will not run out of water, processing can proceed to step 270, as will be described further below. Conversely, if it is determined, at step 250, that the data center may run out of water, processing can proceed to step 260 at which point the operation of the water generator can be increased, such as by utilizing on-demand power, such as from the electrical grid 171 shown in the system 100 of FIG. 1. Once the water generator commences utilizing on-demand power, it can operate all the time, instead of being limited by the availability of power being provided by renewable power sources.

So long as the determination that the water will run out, at step 250, is made sufficiently in advance, the increase of the operation of the water generator at step 260 can increase the amount of water being generated by the water generator and, as such, can change the determination of step 250. In particular, after increasing the operation of the water generator at step 250, processing can return to step 210. During a subsequent processing of the step 240, the anticipated water generation determined at that step can account for the increased operation of the water generator that was performed previously at step 260. If, during such a subsequent processing of step 240, is then determined, at step 250, but the water will not run out, and processing can proceed to step 270 and a determination can be made as to whether the generator is utilizing on-demand power. If the generator is utilizing on-demand power, it may be appropriate to cease the utilization of such power at step 280. Processing can then return to step 210. Conversely, if step 270 finds that the generator is not utilizing on-demand power than processing can again return to step 210.

Although not specifically illustrated by the steps of the flow diagram 200 of FIG. 2, there may be circumstances where it is appropriate to operate the water generator utilizing on-demand power even if the data center may not run out of water. For example, and as will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the relative humidity of ambient air can increase at night, as the temperature of the air drops closer to its dew point. During such times, the water generator can generate a greater amount of water per unit of energy expended than at other times of the day. Nighttime can also coincide with reduced on-demand power rates and costs. Consequently, water generated by the water generator can be more valuable than the costs associated with operating the water generator with on-demand power, such as during nighttime hours, as illustrated by the example above. In such instances, it can be appropriate to operate the water generator utilizing on-demand power, even if the data center is not at risk of running out of water.

The steps of the flow diagram 200 of FIG. 2 can be performed by one or more of the computing devices of the data center, or can be performed by one or more computing devices that are remote from the data center. Turning to FIG. 3, an exemplary general-purpose computing device, such as one of the one or more computing devices that can perform the steps of the flow diagram of FIG. 2, is illustrated in the form of the exemplary general-purpose computing device 300. The exemplary general-purpose computing device 300 can include, but is not limited to, one or more central processing units (CPUs) 320, a system memory 330 and a system bus 321 that couples various system components including the system memory to the processing unit 320. The system bus 321 may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. Depending on the specific physical implementation, one or more of the CPUs 320, the system memory 330 and other components of the general-purpose computing device 300 can be physically co-located, such as on a single chip. In such a case, some or all of the system bus 321 can be nothing more than communicational pathways within a single chip structure and its illustration in FIG. 3 can be nothing more than notational convenience for the purpose of illustration.

The general-purpose computing device 300 also typically includes computer readable media, which can include any available media that can be accessed by computing device 300. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the general-purpose computing device 300. Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

When using communication media, the general-purpose computing device 300 may operate in a networked environment via logical connections to one or more remote computers. The logical connection depicted in FIG. 3 is a general network connection 371 to the network 190, which can be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or other networks. The computing device 300 is connected to the general network connection 371 through a network interface or adapter 370 that is, in turn, connected to the system bus 321. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the general-purpose computing device 300, or portions or peripherals thereof, may be stored in the memory of one or more other computing devices that are communicatively coupled to the general-purpose computing device 300 through the general network connection 371. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between computing devices may be used.

The general-purpose computing device 300 may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only, FIG. 3 illustrates a hard disk drive 341 that reads from or writes to non-removable, nonvolatile media. Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media that can be used with the exemplary computing device include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solid state ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive 341 is typically connected to the system bus 321 through a non-removable memory interface such as interface 340.

The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 3, provide storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the general-purpose computing device 300. In FIG. 3, for example, hard disk drive 341 is illustrated as storing operating system 344, other program modules 345, and program data 346. Note that these components can either be the same as or different from operating system 334, other program modules 335 and program data 336. Operating system 344, other program modules 345 and program data 346 are given different numbers here to illustrate that, at a minimum, they are different copies.

As can be seen from the above descriptions, the generation of water for a data center as been presented. Which, in view of the many possible variations of the subject matter described herein, we claim as our invention all such embodiments as may come within the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A system for generating water, the system comprising:

a data center comprising multiple computing devices;

a water generator generating water from ambient air by cooling the ambient air to at least its dew point, thereby causing the water to precipitate from the cooled ambient air;

a water storage coupled to the water generator to receive the generated water therefrom, the water from the water storage being utilized by the data center; and

a renewable energy source comprising at least one solar panel or wind turbine, the renewable energy source generating power and providing the generated power to the water generator;

wherein the water generator is sized based on historical climatological data to generate at least as much water over a period of time as the data center will consume over the same period of time when the water generator is powered exclusively by the renewable energy source.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the data center further comprises an adiabatic cooler coupled to the data center so as to be able to cool the data center; and wherein further the water storage is coupled to the adiabatic cooler to provide water thereto.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the adiabatic cooler is only sporadically utilized and is supplemental to other cooling mechanisms utilized to cool the computing devices of the data center.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the water storage receives more condensed water during a first period of time during which the adiabatic cooler is not operational than the adiabatic cooler consumes during a second period of time during which the adiabatic cooler is operational.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the second period of time comprises only a few hours a day during each of only a few days a year.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein hot air exhausted from the data center is directed through the water generator.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the hot air exhausted from the data center is only directed through the water generator if an adiabatic cooler, that is coupled to the data center so as to be able to cool the data center, is operational and is cooling the data center.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the water in the water storage is delivered from the water storage by being gravity-fed.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the water storage comprises sensors monitoring a level of water; and wherein further the sensors are communicationally coupled to the data center and provide water level data to one or more computing devices of the data center.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more computing devices of the data center comprise computer-readable media comprising computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:

determining an anticipated water usage of the data center for the period of time;

determining an anticipated water generation by the water generator for the period of time;

receiving sensor data indicative of a current amount of water remaining in the water storage; and

causing the water generator to be provided with supplemental power from an on-demand power source, thereby causing the water generator to operate continuously, if the anticipated water usage for the period of time is greater than the current amount of water remaining and the anticipated water generated for the period of time.

11. A method of making a data center system, the method comprising the steps of:

locating a data center, comprising multiple computing devices, at a location at which power for the data center can be obtained inexpensively;

installing a water generator generating water from ambient air by cooling the ambient air to at least its dew point, thereby causing the water to precipitate from the cooled ambient air;

coupling the water generator to a water storage so as to receive the generated water from the water generator, the water from the water storage being utilized by the data center; and

coupling a renewable energy source comprising at least one solar panel or wind turbine to the water generator, the renewable energy source generating power and providing the generated power to the water generator;

wherein the water generator is sized based on historical climatological data to generate at least as much water over a period of time as the data center will consume over the same period of time when the water generator is powered exclusively by the renewable energy source.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: installing an adiabatic cooler coupled to the data center so as to be able to cool the data center; and coupling the water storage to the adiabatic cooler to provide water thereto.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the adiabatic cooler is only sporadically utilized and is supplemental to other cooling mechanisms utilized to cool the computing devices of the data center.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the water storage receives more condensed water during a first period of time during which the adiabatic cooler is not operational than the adiabatic cooler consumes during a second period of time during which the adiabatic cooler is operational.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: redirecting, through the water generator, hot air exhausted from the data center.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the redirection, through the water generator, of the hot air exhausted from the data is only performed if an adiabatic cooler, that is coupled to the data center so as to be able to cool the data center, is operational and is cooling the data center.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the installing of the water generator installs the water generator in a location from which water can be delivered to the data center by being gravity-fed.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: installing, in the water storage, sensors monitoring a level of water; and communicationally coupling the sensors to the data center to provide water level data to one or more computing devices of the data center.

19. One or more computer-readable media comprising computer-executable instructions for controlling an operation of a water generator that generates water for a data center, the computer-executable instructions performing steps comprising:

determining an anticipated water usage of the data center for the period of time;

determining an anticipated water generation by the water generator for the period of time;

receiving sensor data indicative of a current amount of water remaining in a water storage that receives generated water from the water generator; and

causing the water generator to be provided with supplemental power from an on-demand power source, thereby causing the water generator to operate continuously, only if the anticipated water usage for the period of time is greater than the current amount of water remaining and the anticipated water generated for the period of time.

20. The computer-readable media of claim 19, wherein the water generator is sized based on historical climatological data to generate at least as much water over a period of time as the data center will consume over the same period of time when the water generator is powered exclusively by a renewable energy source comprising at least one solar panel or wind turbine.