DAMAC Data Center

NO. DAMAC Digital is using advanced technology called a closed-loop cooling system. This type of cooling system is very different from systems in older data centers.  

A closed-loop system protects the City’s water resource. After the initial one-time fill of the system, there is no use of the public water supply for the system. This advanced technology is designed for maximum water efficiency, typically achieving a Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) near zero.  

NO. Recently Evergy put out a DATA CENTER FACTS AND FAQS handout for customers. This handout included this question and many others. In the handout, Evergy states that “data centers reduce future rate increases for existing customers by paying a significant portion of the ongoing costs to operate and maintain the electrical grid.” Evergy also has more information about data centers on their website.

DAMAC Digital is paying for 100% of all direct costs for electrical service to the data center. The company is funding construction of dedicated electrical infrastructure to serve the facility, including an on-site switching station and upstream grid updates.

NO. This facility will be engineered with strict attention to noise management, with measures designed to meet or exceed noise regulations.

The closed-loop cooling system is significantly quieter than older technology. In fact, when we measured the decibel level at the property line for similar projects, we couldn’t hear anything beyond normal ambient noise like wind blowing and birds chirping. Standing near the property line, this advanced technology is quieter than a car driving by, your home’s exterior air conditioning unit,  or even normal conversation. Especially for this Project, traffic travelling on Interstate 35 will be louder than noise produced at this building.  

You will hear occasional noise outside the building from periodic testing of the back-up generators, which are necessary for reliable operation. Advanced noise-reduction technologies, including sound attenuated enclosures and specialized exhaust systems, are used to minimize sound during these brief testing periods.

Back-up generators are necessary to provide emergency power during an outage. These generators will be permitted by Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on behalf of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). That permit regulates the emission, noise level and run time of the generators. Generator manufactures have also developed new technology to reduce noise and vibration including the use of sound-attenuated enclosures, specialized exhaust systems and sound-absorbing materials within the unit.

Chillers are used in data centers to remove heat by servers to prevent overheating. Advanced acoustical technology is used to muffle sound at the source, minimizing disruptive noise.

NO. This facility must comply with all applicable lighting standards for the L-P zoning district. Lights can be used to illuminate the building and are directed downward and away from residential properties. For this Project, this means light cannot extend beyond the property line onto the property to the west and to the south. While you may be able to see a light pole or fixture from your window, it should not cast a shadow when you are on adjacent property.

This is an existing building. DAMAC Digital will add additional equipment, fencing and walls to the building. The Final Site Plan application will include architectural renderings of the building. Those can be found in the Planning Commission packet, which will be posted one week before the meeting.