Servers in data centers have increased in capacity and speed, generating more heat, making it even harder to maintain an optimum temperature. Cooling systems to prevent the servers from over-heating are the most power-hungry element of a typical data center. About 40% of all power used by data centers is to remove heat. Data center operators are focusing on reducing the energy demands of cooling.
There is not one solution for the best way to reduce heat in a data center. It involves looking at what type of equipment is in the racks, how it is being used, how much power it generates, and how the environment is managed. Power supplies inside servers and storage arrays need to be at least 85% efficient when under 50% load. A sustainable temperature of 81° Fahrenheit is the recommended ASHRAE guideline.
The data center industry has worked hard to develop design and cooling approaches to reduce energy consumption and improve efficiency and environmental performance. Below is a list of some of the approaches for cooling data centers.
- Liquid cooling – uses water or any gas in its liquid state (rather than air) – used for high-performance computing applications, where racks can reach high power densities
- Hot/cold aisle containment – eliminates the mixing of cold (“supply”) air and hot exhaust air – works well if the heat is effectively extracted
- Computer room air conditioners (CRAC) – works well when properly placed ; efficiency dependent on how airflow is managed within the data center
- Variable-speed drives for CRACs/CRAHs – responds to changing conditions for more regulated cooling output
- Within row cooling (WIRC) – helps to get the cooling to where it is most needed
- Free cooling – uses cold outside air to chill corridors
To learn more about how you can improve your data center’s cooling and energy consumption, contact Crockett Facilities Services by calling 202.600.2787 or emailing sales@crockett-facilities.com. Our Liebert, Emerson and Stulz factory-certified technicians are experts in providing preventive maintenance services for computer room air conditioners (CRAC). NASA, NOAA and the Department of Defense are among the customers who rely on us to ensure their mission-critical data center equipment operates continuously and efficiently.
Crockett Facilities Services is also very happy to announce that we are a sponsor of the 2nd Annual DICE (Data Center Investment Conference and Expo), a national Bisnow summit on the data centers sector. This event will assemble dozens of industry leaders to discuss current trends, projects, and new opportunities.