Sustainable cooling. Zero water waste.
Achieve WUE compliance with site-specific cooling solutions — from river abstraction to ground source heat rejection and borehole water supply. 1,500+ projects. 4,000+ boreholes drilled.
Conventional cooling won't meet WUE targets
The Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact mandates a WUE of 0.4 l/kWh — yet conventional evaporative cooling towers operate at 1.8–2.5 l/kWh, well above the threshold.
For sites in Southern and Eastern England, where most UK data centre capacity is concentrated, many catchments carry 'serious' water stress designations from the Environment Agency. This makes both planning approval and abstraction licences increasingly difficult to obtain.
Planning implication: Local planning authorities in water-stressed areas are increasingly requiring evidence of WUE compliance or waterless cooling technology as a condition of approval.
Three pathways to sustainable data centre cooling
Every site is different. Geology, proximity to water, and available land determine which approach delivers the best economics. We help you find the right answer.
River & Canal Cooling
Abstract water from rivers or canals, pass through heat exchangers, return at controlled temperature. Zero net consumption, zero WUE — the lowest total cost of ownership where geography permits.
Ground Source Heat Rejection
Closed-loop borehole arrays reject heat to the ground. Performance depends on geology — a productive aquifer can halve capital costs. Coaxial systems need just 0.3 acres per MW.
Borehole Water Supply
Independent water supply for evaporative cooling towers via Water-as-a-Service. Significant cost savings versus mains, with full filtration and treatment — an immediate solution while transitioning to waterless cooling.
How cooling technologies compare
20-year total cost of ownership per MW IT load, South East England.
| Technology | WUE (l/kWh) | CapEx / MW | 20yr TCO |
|---|---|---|---|
| River / Canal Abstraction | 0.0 | £0.3–0.5M | £3.1M |
| GSHP (good aquifer) | 0.0 | £1.5–2.0M | £6.2M |
| GSHP (poor ground) | 0.0 | £2.5–3.5M | £8.5M |
| Dry Coolers + Chiller | 0.0 | £0.8–1.2M | £12.3M |
| Cooling Tower (borehole) | 1.8–2.5 | £0.6–0.9M | £7.5M |
| Cooling Tower (mains) | 1.8–2.5 | £0.5–0.7M | £11.8M |
Based on Nicholls technical analysis, Ofwat PR24 regulatory framework, and published 2024/25 commercial water rates.
EA licensing expertise built into every project
Most cooling contractors can design a system — but they can't get it licensed. Our sister company, Nicholls Licensing & Consulting, has been navigating Environment Agency processes since 2003.
From desktop hydrogeological assessment to abstraction licence applications, discharge permits and ongoing compliance monitoring — we manage the entire regulatory journey in-house.
Learn about our licensing services →Hydrogeological Assessment
BGS records, EA aquifer maps, local borehole data analysis to determine site suitability
EA Licensing & Permits
Full abstraction, discharge and impoundment licence applications managed end-to-end
WUE Compliance Strategy
Technology selection frameworks aligned with WUE targets and water stress designations
Ongoing Monitoring
Abstraction returns, condition compliance and licence renewal — we stay with you
Relevant case studies
Projects that demonstrate the capabilities needed for data centre cooling at scale.
Runnymede Hotel — River Thames Cooling & Heating
450kW commercial-scale open-loop system abstracting from the Thames for a 180-bedroom hotel. Full EA permitting, abstraction infrastructure, and ongoing compliance monitoring.
DC relevance: Demonstrates commercial-scale river abstraction with EA permitting, system design, and long-term monitoring — directly transferable to data centre cooling.
Norwich — 86-Apartment River Source System
86-apartment development heated via River Wensum abstraction. Chosen over GSHP (saving £250,000 by avoiding 40 boreholes), with cascaded heat pumps and full EA licensing.
DC relevance: River source as a cost-effective alternative to GSHP arrays, multi-heat-pump design at scale, and urban river abstraction licensing.
Premiership Football Club — Large-Scale Water Supply
High-volume independent water supply with EA licensing, sophisticated filtration systems, and ongoing service contracts for a demanding commercial environment.
DC relevance: The exact WaaS model: large-volume commercial water supply with EA licensing, treatment systems, and long-term service agreements.
Grade I Listed House — 174kW GSHP, 39 Boreholes
39 vertical boreholes and a 174kW closed-loop system for a 20,000 sq ft property. Overcame artesian water challenges at 60m depth.
DC relevance: Large-scale borehole array management, complex geology problem-solving, and high-capacity system design applicable to DC GSHP installations.
From assessment to operation
Desktop Assessment
BGS records, EA maps, local borehole data, water stress classification. Typically 1–2 weeks.
Technology Recommendation
Options appraisal, TCO modelling, WUE compliance mapping, recommendation report.
EA Licensing
Pre-application engagement, abstraction/discharge licence applications, negotiation with EA.
Design & Installation
Detailed system design, drilling, infrastructure installation, commissioning and handover.
Ongoing Service
Monitoring, compliance reporting, maintenance, licence renewals — we stay with you long-term.
The starting point is always the same: understand what's beneath your site
A desktop hydrogeological assessment can quickly identify whether favourable conditions exist for sustainable cooling at your data centre site. Where they do, a Thermal Response Test provides definitive data for system design and accurate cost estimation.