Technological Advancements and Environmental Impacts of Air Source Heat Pumps for Sustainable Cooling and Waste Heat Recovery in California Data Centres

This study examines the advancements in air source heat pump (ASHP) technology and their environmental impacts in the context of sustainable cooling and waste heat recovery in California data centers. Emphasis is placed on how modern ASHP systems reduce cooling energy demand, enable heat reuse, and comply with new regulatory standards. The paper analyzes the state-of-the-art features of ASHPs—like improved coefficient of performance (COP), integration with district heating, and use of low-global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerants—and evaluates their role in reducing carbon footprints and water usage. California’s mandate for data center waste heat recovery under Title 24 is discussed alongside industry trends. Results indicate that ASHP deployment can significantly enhance data center sustainability by turning waste heat into a resource, improving Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. Conclusions highlight ASHP-driven cooling as a key pathway to net-zero energy data centers, with recommendations for future research.