Digitally Green

dataservers

Digitization is vital in universities, enhancing communication and administration, and facilitating learning. However, data centers, crucial for digitization, consume vast amounts of energy, require water for cooling, and occupy land, with AI exacerbating this impact. This reliance on digital infrastructures and the commitment to maximize the utilization of digital resources under the Open Science framework juxtaposes Utrecht University's efforts and the emphasis on sustainability, posing a challenging contradiction that requires further exploration. This Incubator aims to assemble an interdisciplinary team to tackle the challenge of operating a fully digitized university in ecologically sustainable manner, and to create awareness for the impact of our digital infrastructure.