Navigating unhinged paradoxes: an interdisciplinary roadmap for energy efficiency in data centers

Interdisciplinary teams skilled in Aristotle’s three knowledge forms, phronesis, episteme, techne, are essential for dealing with complex challenges in future. As sectors transition to new concepts, risks exist for unhinged paradoxes, i.e., unforeseen consequences. This is particularly relevant for industries with complex infrastructures, such as data centers (DCs). This paper presents a conceptual roadmap consisting of four interconnected phases for integrating energy efficiency concepts in DCs, with a focus on avoiding unhinged paradoxes. The knowledge creation process during the roadmapping process underscores the importance from (1) the acknowledgement of an external threat, (2) inclusion of an interdisciplinary team, and (3) regular project meetings to facilitate a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment. Additionally, the insights gained from this research extend to sectors beyond DCs and can be applied to other industries working towards increased energy efficiency.