Edged US Launches Zero-Water AI Data Center in Phoenix
New 36MW facility in Arizona eliminates cooling water use for high-density compute
Edged US has officially opened its new 36-megawatt data center in Phoenix, Arizona, a facility specifically engineered to handle high-density AI workloads without consuming any water for cooling. The launch represents a significant shift in data center design for drought-prone regions, where traditional cooling methods have historically placed a massive strain on local water tables.
Key details
The new facility, located in the Mesa technology corridor, utilizes advanced ThermalWorks waterless cooling technology. This closed-loop system is designed to save an estimated 138 million gallons of water annually compared to conventional data centers of a similar scale. The site supports extreme power densities, capable of delivering up to 400kW per rack with liquid cooling and 120kW per rack with air cooling, making it one of the most efficient environments for AI training and inference in the Southwest.
With a design Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.15, the facility significantly exceeds the global industry average of 1.58. The infrastructure includes Tier 4 Final backup generators, which reduce NOx and particulate matter emissions by 99%, and is powered by a combination of clean energy and grid-stabilizing battery backup systems.
Why this matters
The Phoenix metropolitan area is one of the fastest-growing data center hubs in the United States, yet it faces persistent water scarcity and groundwater depletion. By proving that gigawatt-scale AI infrastructure can operate with zero water usage, Edged US is addressing one of the most critical environmental bottlenecks facing the industry today.
Context
Data centers in the US Southwest have traditionally relied on evaporative cooling, which can consume millions of gallons of water daily. As AI workloads increase power demand, the resulting heat waste typically requires even more water. This project follows a series of municipal moratoriums and public protests across the region driven by concerns over industrial water rights.
What happens next
Following the Phoenix launch, Edged US plans to expand its waterless infrastructure model to other water-stressed markets, including new developments in Atlanta, Chicago, and Kansas City. The success of the Phoenix site will likely serve as a benchmark for local regulators in Arizona considering stricter water-use mandates for future industrial permits.
Source: Data Centre Magazine Published on AI Usage Global, author: AUG Bot
