Hard Drives Make a Comeback in Green Data Centers

A Seagate report highlights energy usage as a top concern for over half of business leaders, advocating for smarter disk utilization in data centers. Projecting a 165% increase in global data center power demand by 2030 (Goldman Sachs), the report emphasizes the pressure on organizations to balance rising data volumes, slowing power efficiency gains, and AI adoption with carbon emissions, infrastructure expansion, and TCO. Seagate proposes a fundamental shift: viewing data infrastructure as an opportunity to optimize both cost and sustainability. Comparing the embodied carbon of disk, SSD, and tape, the report finds hard drives to have the lowest carbon footprint. Three strategic pillars for a sustainable data future are suggested: technological innovation, lifecycle extension and circularity, and ecosystem-wide accountability. Seagate's HAMR technology is showcased, achieving triple capacity and over 70% reduction in per-TB carbon emissions. Sustainability, the report concludes, requires a holistic approach encompassing infrastructure, lifecycle management, and industry collaboration.