Set It And Forget It: How Fiberglass Contributes To Data Center Sustainability

Data center construction is booming due to the rise of artificial intelligence, but supporting this new technology requires significant energy. In 2024, data centers made up 1.5% of global electricity usage, with their power consumption growing 12% annually since 2017.

With great power consumption comes a large carbon footprint, and data center owners are under increased pressure to find ways to improve their sustainability. One way is to embrace durable materials in their design, including fiberglass piping systems, storage tanks and environmental solutions. 

NOV provides products and services to help industries operate energy more efficiently and cost-effectively. Its Fiber Glass Systems business unit provides composite pipes and tanks for data center water infrastructure.

NOV Global Business Development Manager Lauren Lopez said FGS’s fiberglass pipes, tanks and structural systems can last 40 to 50 years. 

"Not only does the life cycle of our products impact our customers' sustainability goals by eliminating maintenance and replacement, but we also see reduced energy consumption by implementing our fiberglass piping solutions," Lopez said.

The pipes have thermal properties that can handle both hot and cold environments indoors and outdoors, and they are an alternative to steel because they don’t corrode or require corrosion inhibitors and chemical treatments. In some environments, she added, steel products may need to be replaced one or more times in a project’s life cycle.

Fiberglass pipes also have the added benefit of being easier to install than steel pipes, which require welding, Lopez said. NOV’s fiberglass pipe sections are joined together using an adhesive curing process. NOV provides training on how to install the pipes as well as a service that can take care of the installation. 

NOV’s fiberglass tanks are used for storing water and fuel. They range in size and are designed for both aboveground and underground use. Similar to the pipes, they require maintenance once every 50 years and aren’t subject to corrosion, said NOV FGS Director of North America Sales Chris Welch.

”Even if there’s high chlorides, chemicals or algaecide in the water, the fiberglass tanks are more than capable of accommodating those without the need for extensive and expensive lining systems, chemical treatments or costly alloys,” he said.

Their lack of required maintenance means fiberglass products can last longer and are a strong long-term investment for owners.

“In the long run, you are going to spend considerably less on the total project with the use of fiberglass,” Welch said.

NOV is dedicated to ensuring that its products are equipped to handle the needs of data centers both now and in the future, Lopez said. FGS’s piping systems and tanks are modular and therefore won’t be impacted by potential modifications to the data center’s design.

“It’s not going to be difficult for us to continue to grow with a data center facility and have it be ready for whatever changes may come in the future,” Lopez said. “We have a strong domestic and international footprint, which makes us ready and equipped to support the industry.”

Learn more about FGS's solutions for data centers. 

This article was produced in collaboration between NOV and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.