Source URL: https://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/sustainability/googles-approach-to-carbon-aware-data-center/
Source: Cloud Blog
Title: Our approach to carbon-aware data centers: Central data center fleet management
Feedly Summary: Data centers are the engines of the cloud, processing and storing the information that powers our daily lives. As digital services grow, so do our data centers and we are working to responsibly manage them. Google thinks of infrastructure at the full stack level, not just as hardware but as hardware abstracted through software, allowing us to innovate.
We have previously shared how we’re working to reduce the embodied carbon impact at our data centers by optimizing our technical infrastructure hardware. In this post, we shine a spotlight on our “central fleet” program, which has helped us shift our internal resource management system from a machine economy to a more sustainable resource and performance economy.
What is Central Fleet?
At its core, our central fleet program is a resource distribution approach that allows us to manage and allocate computing resources, like processing power, memory, and storage in a more efficient and sustainable way. Instead of individual teams or product teams within Google ordering and managing their own physical machines, our central fleet acts as a centralized pool of resources that can be dynamically distributed to where they are needed most.
Think of it like a shared car service. Rather than each person owning a car they might only use for a couple of hours a day, a shared fleet allows for fewer cars to be used more efficiently by many people. Similarly, our central fleet program ensures our computing resources are constantly in use, minimizing waste and reducing the need to procure new machines.
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How it works: A shift to a resource economy
The central fleet approach fundamentally changes how we provision and manage resources. When a team needs more computing power, instead of ordering specific hardware, they place an order for “quota" from the central fleet. This makes the computing resources fungible, that is, interchangeable and flexible. For instance, a team will ask for a certain amount of processing power or storage capacity, not a particular server model.
This "intent-based" ordering system provides flexibility in how demand is fulfilled. Our central fleet can intelligently fulfill requests using either existing inventory or procure at scale, which can lower cost and environmental impact. It also facilitates the return of unneeded resources that can then be reallocated to other teams, further reducing waste.
All of this is possible with our full-stack infrastructure and built on the Borg cluster management system to abstract away the physical hardware into a single, fungible resource pool. This software-level intelligence allows us to treat our infrastructure as a fluid, optimizable system rather than a collection of static machines, unlocking massive efficiency gains.
The sustainability benefits of central fleet
The central fleet approach aligns with Google’s broader dedication to sustainability and a circular economy. By optimizing the use of our existing hardware, we can achieve carbon savings. For example, in 2024, our central fleet program helped avoid procurement of new components and machines with an embodied impact equivalent to approximately 260,000 metric tons of CO2e. This roughly equates to avoiding 660 million miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle.1
This fulfillment flexibility leads to greater resource efficiency and a reduced carbon footprint in several ways:
Reduced electronic waste: By extending the life of our machines through reallocation and reuse, we minimize the need to manufacture new hardware and reduce the amount of electronic waste.
Lower embodied carbon: The manufacturing of new servers carries an embodied carbon footprint. By avoiding the creation of new machines, we avoid these associated CO2e emissions.
Increased energy efficiency: Central fleet allows for the strategic placement of workloads on the most power-efficient hardware available, optimizing energy consumption across our data centers.
Promote a circular economy: This model is a prime example of circular economy principles in action, shifting from a linear "take-make-dispose" model to one that emphasizes reuse and longevity.
The central fleet initiative is more than an internal efficiency project; it’s a tangible demonstration of embedding sustainability into our core business decisions. By rethinking how we manage our infrastructure, we can meet growing AI and cloud demand while simultaneously paving the way for a more sustainable future. Learn more at sustainability.google.
1. Estimated avoided emissions were calculated by applying internal LCA emissions factors to machines and component resources saved through our central fleet initiative in 2024. We input the estimated avoided emissions into the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator to calculate the equivalent number of miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle (accessed August 2025). The data and claims have not been verified by an independent third-party.
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The text discusses Google’s “central fleet” program, a resource distribution approach aimed at optimizing computing resources across data centers in an efficient and sustainable manner. This initiative reflects a shift from traditional hardware management to a more strategic and environmentally friendly system that encourages resource reallocation, thereby reducing carbon emissions and electronic waste.
Detailed Description:
– **Central Fleet Program Overview**:
– Google’s central fleet represents a transformative approach to resource management in data centers.
– It acts as a centralized pool of resources, allowing for dynamic allocation of computing power, memory, and storage.
– This method contrasts with traditional practices where individual teams manage their own physical machines.
– **Resource Management Strategy**:
– Teams can request “quotas” for resources rather than specific server models, allowing for flexible and efficient fulfillment of computing needs.
– This model promotes the fungibility of computing resources, enabling intelligent resource allocation.
– The system is supported by Google’s Borg cluster management technology, which abstracts physical hardware into a single, adaptable resource pool.
– **Sustainability Initiatives**:
– The central fleet program aligns with Google’s commitment to sustainability by minimizing electronic waste and reducing the carbon footprint.
– Benefits include:
– **Reduced Electronic Waste**: By reallocating and reusing existing machines, the need for new hardware manufacturing diminishes.
– **Lower Embodied Carbon**: Avoiding new server production mitigates associated CO2 emissions.
– **Increased Energy Efficiency**: Strategically placing workloads on the most efficient hardware optimizes energy use across data centers.
– **Promotion of Circular Economy**: The initiative embodies circular economy principles, transitioning from a linear disposal model to one emphasizing reuse and sustainability.
– **Impact**:
– The initiative is not merely an operational efficiency project, but also a significant step towards incorporating sustainability into key business decisions.
– For instance, in 2024, the program reportedly helped avoid the need for new machines equivalent to about 260,000 metric tons of CO2e, demonstrating its substantial environmental impact.
By implementing this innovative program, Google aims to meet the increasing demands of AI and cloud technologies while contributing to a more sustainable technological landscape, illustrating the intersection of infrastructure efficiency and environmental stewardship in modern data management.