GREEN MATTERS Data centre cooling effi ciency
A new service that combines virtual IT, CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) modelling and confi guration can help datacentre designers and operators to assess their current facilities; to validate and/or pre-empt any planned changes; to explore expansion or reduction plans; and to test resilience and potential critical incidents. Tom Blundy, head of consultancy and professional services at Keysource, the critical environment and data centre specialist, explains.
s our sector is going through some fast-moving changes, we have developed a service to help our clients to navigate these challenges and opportunities. This includes the ability to provide organisations with a digital twin of its datacentre’s internal and external infrastructure and environment which enables them to assess normal operations as well as “what-if” and future planning scenarios. In simple terms this is an electronic version that mirrors your facility, providing a risk-free environment to explore new designs, ideas and changes.
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CFD – powerful simulation To support this we use Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), a powerful simulation technique that utilises mathematical algorithms and computer modelling to study and analyse fl uid fl ow, heat transfer and other related issues that may impact effi ciency. For data centres in particular, CFD enables operators to visualise and understand the complex airfl ow patterns, temperature distribution and thermal behaviour within the facility.
Data driven decisions By accurately modelling these factors, we can help data centre operators make data-driven decisions to optimise cooling strategies, increase energy effi ciency, extend equipment life, and enhance overall operational performance. Our experience shows that this can deliver energy savings of up to 30%, resulting in substantial cost reductions and improved sustainability. We can also evaluate the impact of potential changes or additions to the facility using real operating scenarios. The service models variable load conditions, along with impact analysis of change, including internal infrastructure changes or failures and external environmental factors, such as wind profi les, solar gain, and even exhaust emission contamination from generators. By simulating the eff ects of equipment upgrades, layout modifi cations, or changes in operational conditions, operators can proactively assess risks, identify potential bottlenecks and ensure optimal performance before implementing any physical changes. This predictive analysis approach minimises costly trial- and-error processes and facilitates informed decision-making.
30 June 2024 •
www.acr-news.com
This is particularly useful for the facilities that are end of life and need to replace or upgrade equipment. The service also enables companies to make informed decisions and confi dently design and operate to required availability levels. By knowing exactly how much capacity they have at their disposal without risking downtime, companies can stop overprovisioning expensive resources.
Supporting sustainability For example, we often see deployed IT kW Load much lower than that which the data hall was designed for. Where legacy power and cooling infrastructure is deployed or fi xed control strategies used means they are using more power than necessary which impacts both cost and sustainability goals. This service enables them to ‘virtually’ switch off or optimise cooling units whilst monitoring the potential results on temperature. We can also see what would happen, and how quickly if there was a power outage to the facility.
AI Ready
AI is another key driver for this approach. Many clients are looking to include AI clusters in their existing facilities and as these are higher density and therefore cause airfl ow challenges that will aff ect overall temperatures. Our tools can show the outcomes of various solutions before purchase and deployment. This tool set enables new designs or changes in data centre requirements to be virtually demonstrated and assessed in a single model which visually validates design and operation. It can be used for new data centres, planning expansions for an existing sites and existing operational lifecycle management, helping organisations to realise and maximize the true value of their infrastructure investments. Key benefi ts include virtual design validation, optimised solutions, faster deployment through simpler designs and reduced costs. It can help organisations to meet and address diff erent requirements, design levels and local conditions - including upgrading existing facilities through optimisation or tactical upgrades. Using the power of leading tools, automation and our industry experts in design and operation, it provides key insight to mitigate risk, reduce cost and validates designs , giving organisations confi dence that their design and changes will work.
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