Faster Larger Data Storage

Large User By 2030

How Helium Is Used in Data Centers

Helium is not yet a core element in all data centers, but it plays a strategic role in specific cooling and storage technologies. As data centers scale with AI, cloud computing, and IoT, helium’s unique properties—low density, high thermal conductivity, and inertness—are being increasingly leveraged.

Key Uses of Helium in Data Centers

1. Helium-Filled Hard Disk Drives (HDDs)

Helium is used inside sealed HDDs to replace air. These drives are known as helium drives and are widely used in hyperscale data centers.

Benefits of helium in HDDs:

Lower drag → Less turbulence → Enables more platters in the same form factor

Lower power consumption (~20–30% less)

Lower operating temperatures

Longer lifespan and improved reliability

💡 Example: Western Digital and Seagate have commercialized helium-filled HDDs with capacities from 10TB to 22TB.

2. Potential Use in Advanced Cooling Systems

While not mainstream, helium gas cooling is being explored for future high-performance computing (HPC) and AI server clusters, especially where liquid cooling or immersion cooling isn't feasible.

Helium’s thermal conductivity is higher than nitrogen or air, enabling potential use in gas-based closed-loop systems.

Current Helium Market Size in Data Centers (2024)

Global helium market: ~$6 billion

Data center-related use: Small but growing

Estimated market share: ~1–2%

Value: $60–120 million annually

Helium is primarily used in the storage hardware sector, not general infrastructure.

2024~1–2%, $60M–$120M

2027~2.5–3%, $150M–$200M

2030~4–5%, $250M–$350M

CAGR: Expected 12–15% helium demand growth in data center applications

By 2030, helium could be a key enabler in next-gen storage and cooling architectures

Future Market Size and Trends (2025–2030)

Growth Drivers:

Explosion in data generation → Need for high-density, energy-efficient storage

AI and machine learning workloads increasing server heat output

Hyperscale data centers and edge computing expansion

Sustainability and energy efficiency mandates

Trends and Considerations

Opportunities:

Helium HDDs expected to dominate archival and cold storage

Hybrid data centers (air/liquid/helium cooled) for AI and HPC

Helium helps reduce energy usage per terabyte

Constraints:

Helium cost volatility may affect adoption

Sealed drive technology is expensive and complex to manufacture

Helium leakage in drives → strict quality control required

Key Players Using Helium in Data Centers

Drive manufacturers: Western Digital, Seagate

Hyperscalers: Google, Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure, Meta

Colocation providers: Equinix, Digital Realty, Switch

Cloud storage innovators: Backblaze, Dropbox