A data center in China uses cold lake water to cool servers, cutting energy use and environmental impact.

A data center in Chenzhou, Hunan, uses Dongjiang Lake’s naturally cold water—maintained at 8–13°C year-round—to cool servers, reducing energy use and environmental impact. The Yunchao Dongjiang Lake Big Data Center, operational since 2017, relies on a natural cooling system with heat exchangers and pumps, returning water to the river with only a 2–5°C increase. This method, used 99% of the year, minimizes reliance on traditional chillers and supports regional digital services while preserving water quality and ecosystems.