Advancing Data Center Sustainability
In November 2025, a partnership between QTS Data Centers and UW-Madison was launched to advance research in responsible data center development.
Objectives
QTS-sponsored research teams are collaborating across disciplines to:
Study energy systems, environmental impacts, and community perspectives related to data centers.
Develop evidence to inform sustainable infrastructure decisions.
Our goal is to advance advance independent research on the energy, environmental, and community dimensions of data center development. Research topics fall into four categories of exploration:
- Clean and reliable energy
- Carbon dioxide energy storage for data centers (CO2DES)
- Mark Anderson, Greg Nellis, Doug Reindl, Mike Wagner, Allison Mahvi
- Data center-to-grid: Chemical fuel-enabled energy storage and power delivery
- James Pikul, Luca Mastropasqua
- Understanding data center power swings and their impact on grid stability
- Line A. Roald, Matthew D. Sinclair, Shivaram Venkataraman, Bernie Lesieutre
- Nuclear energy opportunities for data centers
- Ben Lindley, Paul Wilson
- Carbon dioxide energy storage for data centers (CO2DES)
- Sustainable agriculture and landscapes
- Assessing varied land management on water quality and soil carbon storage
- Chris Kucharik
- Photovoltaic panels over pasture: Providing power and water while improving environmental sustainability
- Steven P. Loheide II, Christopher Kucharik, and Ankur Desai
- Mapping the air quality and health impacts of U.S. data center load growth
- Morgan Edwards, Jonathan Patz
- Tracking heat release from data centers with satellite data
- Tracey Holloway
- Assessing varied land management on water quality and soil carbon storage
- Biodiversity and ecology
- Identifying benefits of data centers for pollinator biodiversity using automated, AI-enabled camera systems
- James Crall
- Landing zones: Designing rainwater ponds as habitat for migratory birds
- Benjamin Zuckerberg
- Predicting fish habitat suitability and sustainability for inland lakes undergoing change
- Paul Block, Paul Hanson, Zach Feiner
- Identifying benefits of data centers for pollinator biodiversity using automated, AI-enabled camera systems
- Community and tribal perspectives
- Tribal community perspectives on data center development
- Morgan Edwards, Paul Robbins
- Public opinion and data center governance: Identifying a way forward
- Morgan Edwards
- Brownfield data center development: Mapping mutually beneficial development
- Morgan Edwards, Corbett Grainger
- Tribal community perspectives on data center development
Outcomes
- Enhancing efficient energy use, storage, grid integration, and clean energy resources.
- Advancing data center practices that support cleaner air and water, healthier soils, and smarter land use.
- Identifying strategies to enhance ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
- Improving clarity on community perceptions, concerns, and mutual benefits.
Team
Dr. Tracey Holloway (PI), Director of Nelson Enterprise, Professor of Environmental Studies and Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Dr. Paul Meier (PM), Senior Scientist and Director of Project Development, Nelson Institute
Dr. Mark Anderson, Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Dr. James Pikul, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Line Roald, Grainger Institute for Engineering Associate Professor
Dr. Ben Lindley, Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics
Dr. Christopher Kucharic, Professor of Agronomy and Environmental Studies
Dr. Steven Loheide, Professor of Environmental Engineering & Science Associate Chair
Dr. Morgan Edwards, Assistant Professor of Public Affairs
Dr. James Crall, Assistant Professor of Entomology
Dr. Benjamin Zuckerberg, Professor of Forest and Wildlife Ecology
Dr. Paul Block, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Climate, People, and Environment
Timeline
2025-2028
Partners
QTS Data Centers