In today’s world, every computing task requires the work of a specific data center. From streaming your favorite show to using your browser, each process is funneled through a server at a data center. As a result, these data centers have to process large amounts of data from across the globe in short periods. Naturally, this entire process uses a lot of energy and therefore generates a lot of heat. This is why cooling data center infrastructure is a very important aspect of building an efficient data center. We’ll go on to explore even further in this article why data center cooling is so critical.
What is Data Center Cooling?
Data centers are an integral part of processing innovations. The modern age needs functional data centers to process and transfer large amounts of data – a process that generates a lot of heat. For these facilities to work efficiently, they need data center cooling systems in place.
We take a closer look at what cooling data center infrastructure means, why it’s so important, and how industries are elevating the cooling efficiency process through different methods. We also explore data center cooling from the perspective of energy efficiency and learn about the challenges of data center construction on a more sustainable and resource-conscious planet and how we can globally ensure data center energy efficiency.
Why is Efficient Data Center Cooling needed?
A data center cooling system is used to ensure that the hot air generated is expelled and cool air is pushed through to prevent damage to the servers. Air cooling systems ensure that circuit boards don’t overheat and malfunction. The temperatures and humidity inside server rooms can directly affect electrical components and performance. Some of the main reasons for effective data center cooling systems include:
- Equipment Protection: Most of the devices, wiring, and components in a data center will be damaged when exposed to high temperatures and humidity. This can cause malfunctions, breakdowns, and expensive property destruction.
- Performance Optimization: Data center cooling also helps devices run faster without overheating. Without air conditioning, servers can be slowed down by the heat - causing latency issues for users.
- Safety: Naturally, overheating of servers also poses the risk of fire and destruction of a data center. Cooling ensures safe, reliable, and protected server rooms at all times.
- Operational Costs: Without sufficient cooling systems in place, equipment is more likely to be damaged and need frequent repairs and replacements. Cooling the air keeps operational expenses and maintenance to a minimum.
Now that we know why data center cooling is so important, we can explore how cooling systems can consider energy efficiency through the use of cloud computing technology.
Data Center Cooling Energy Efficiency for Green Cloud Computing
Energy efficiency simply refers to using fewer resources to complete processes the same way. Data centers consume drastically large amounts of energy each day. This means that the environmental impact of data center construction is just as big. Data centers are responsible for massive carbon emissions, water usage for cooling systems, and extensive electricity consumption. Energy efficiency will reduce the impact on the planet and contribute to better resource utilization across industries. Energy-efficient data centers also help companies stay within regulatory bounds, reduce expenses, and ensure long-term sustainability.
Data centers consume lots of energy for several reasons, however, the main ones are the operation of servers and the need for effective data center cooling systems. A 2017 report by Forbes showed that the amount of power needed to run data centers on a global scale amounted to 416 terawatts in 2016 – which is approximately 3% of all electricity generated on Earth. Power represents 60–70% of the Total Operational Cost (TOC) of a data center. Experts have predicted that the US data center cooling market will reach more than US$ 3.5 billion by 2025.
For data centers to be energy efficient, they can follow different techniques and methods. Some of the ways to create sustainable data centers include:
- Using Energy-Efficient Data Center Building Designs. Data centers should be built with energy efficiency in mind. This means the inclusion of proper insulation, reflective roofing, and adequate lighting.
- Utilizing Free Data Center Cooling Methods. Free cooling refers to the usage of natural cold air to cool down data centers instead of using air cooling systems. Many companies take to constructing data centers in colder climates for this reason. Microsoft also explored the idea of using underwater data centers for effective and efficient cooling.
- Powering Data Centers with Renewable Energy Sources. Renewable energy is quickly gaining traction for most modern companies. Data centers could benefit from the use of renewable power– such as solar, hydro, or wind energy – to generate the energy needed to operate.
- Use the Infrastructure that is more energy efficient. Improving energy efficiency is also a part of green cloud computing. Here, you can utilize less energy for your computing and processing. This ultimately helps in less carbon emissions resulting in a greener environment.
Sangfor’s Hyper-Converged Infrastructure is the ideal green cloud computing solution to ensure an energy-efficient data center. Green Cloud Computing provides solutions for the high costs of acquiring and maintaining infrastructure, as well as the emissions generated by their usage. They can benefit both the environment and the businesses that use them from an infrastructure perspective to data efficiency and energy-saving perspectives. Data centers need the right cooling techniques to fully optimize resources. There are several cooling methods that can help achieve this vision.
What are the different types of Data Center Cooling System?
Data center cooling technologies consume a lot of energy. These cooling systems can be responsible for up to 40% of the total energy consumption of a data center. While these systems are necessary for effective processing, there are ways to optimize your cooling systems. ASHRAE standards and guidelines are a set of uniform methods to test the designs and installation of equipment in industries. Data center construction needs to abide by these standards to remain energy-efficient, safe, and regulated. Cooling systems form part of those regulated practices.
Data center cooling systems usually work by removing excess heat from the air and replacing it with cooler air. This can be done in one of several ways:
Air Cooling Data Center Cooling System
This is the method of cooling that involves the use of raised floors in a server room. This creates a gap between the servers and the floor for cold and hot air to be ventilated. It's important to keep the underfloor spaces below the raised floor clean and clear to avoid any obstacles in the path of the airflow. This can drastically slow down the cooling process and make it inefficient.
A CRAC unit is essentially an air conditioner unit to cool the air. The CRAC unit - or a Computer Room Air Handler (CRAH) – is used to send out cold air which increases the pressure below the raised floor and pushes the cool airflow into the device inlets. The cold air then displaces the hot air, which is returned to the CRAC unit to be cooled and recirculated. This method of cooling is usually reserved for smaller or old data centers. Apart from air, liquid is also a much better way to ensure data center cooling.
Liquid Cooling Data Center Cooling Solutions
Data center liquid cooling is a much more efficient way of cooling server rooms. Liquids are better at transferring heat and can support greater equipment densities. Liquid cooling techniques include rear-door heat exchangers, direct-to-chip liquid cooling, and immersion cooling. This is a more recent cooling method and is widely used for data centers and general CPUs. Leaning on both air and liquid cooling, evaporative cooling systems try to make us of both in a way.
Evaporative Cooling Data Center Cooling Systems
Evaporative cooling uses the drop in temperature when water is exposed to moving air and begins to evaporate. In this method, a fan pushes the hot air over chilled water or a coolant pad. The cold air is then pushed through the vents to keep the servers cold. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the water usage effectiveness (WUE) of an average data center using evaporative cooling systems is 1.8L per kWh. This means it can cost a fraction of an air-cooled HVAC system. Evaporative cooling also works best in low-humidity climates. Unfortunately, cooling systems can also be challenging to implement for most data center infrastructure.
What do I need to take care of while designing a Data Center?
When considering data center cooling solutions, you need to pay attention to specific design and construction challenges. Data centers can be difficult to build in a dynamic and evolving digital landscape. Gould Ratner highlighted some of these crucial elements to consider beforehand:
Power Demands for Data Centers
Data centers are naturally large consumers of power. These facilities need to process vast amounts of data in very little time while still ensuring regular backups, disaster recovery, security, and efficient cooling. The power demands of a data center are a challenge for most companies trying to remain sustainable and budget-friendly. High power demands are only a result of high power consumption. Power and Energy consumption are the key challenges. As mentioned before, energy consumption is a massive challenge for data center construction as well. The sheer number of devices connected and the resources needed to keep them running can be overwhelming for any business owner. A good solution for data centers under strain would be to invest in sustainable energy resources.
What are sustainable alternatives for Data Center Energy Resources?
Most data centers look to traditional air-cooling systems to keep their servers from bursting into flames. Fortunately, new technologies are emerging each day that are easier, more sustainable, and more efficient. These include:
- Hydrogen fuel cells for storage of excess electricity.
- Solar panels that utilize energy storage.
- Gray water to cool rather than municipal water sources for liquid-cooled systems.
- Alternative water sources for cooling.
- Rain capture systems.
- Analytics and automated systems that increase cooling system efficiency.
While these innovations can be helpful, the location of the data center also plays a crucial role.
Location and Site Procurement of Data Centers
The location of the data center is also crucial. You must have sufficient local power infrastructure and adhere to the local and state regulations surrounding cooling processes, resource usage, and waste removal. The location will also indicate the climate of the area - humidity control and local temperatures will have direct effects on heating and cooling. The data center site also needs to be properly secure and well-maintained – which leads directly to the design of the center itself.
Data Center Design Requirements
Efficient data centers are designed to meet high power demands and make full use of sustainable resources – such as hydrogen fuel cells, solar panels, and rainwater capture. The site also needs to have measures in place for effective data backup and disaster recovery. Data center cooling systems need to be integrated into the design from a foundational phase as well. Another considerable design element is the data room of the data center.
In addition, the actual data server rooms need to be fully optimized for expansion, flexibility, and adaptability. As businesses grow, they will need more space for more servers. The layout of the room needs to consider the airflow of cooling systems as well to be fully efficient. Rack systems need to be carefully selected and curated with all these considerations in place. Moreover, the infrastructure needs to be properly secured as well.
Physical and Cyber Security for Data Centers
Data centers are integral parts of a company’s processing ability. Halting these processes can cost billions and leave users dissatisfied. Cyber-attacks and physical destruction of data centers need to be considered well before construction. Companies need to ensure trained physical security, limited access, and constant surveillance of data centers. Tailored cybersecurity and backup power solutions need to be put in place to prevent processing disruptions and ensure data safety at all times. The best cooling solutions rely on effective design and consistent monitoring – which is why aisle containment and environmental monitoring play the biggest role in ensuring the best cooling systems for data centers.
Data Center Maintenance and Cooling Methods
Aisle Containment Method
According to Cool Shield Containment, aisle containment can be defined as a layout design for server racks and other computing equipment in a data center. A hot or cold aisle configuration aims to conserve energy and lower cooling costs by managing airflow. Aisle containment is achieved by creating a physical barrier between hot and cold air to prevent them from mixing. Server racks are typically placed in a row – or aisle - with the cold air intake facing one direction and the hot air exhaust facing the other. This ensures that one side of the row stays hot while the other remains cold.
Aisle containment is important to prevent the cold supply airflow and the hot exhaust airflow from mixing and significantly reducing the efficiency of the cooling process. ASHRAE recommends that IT equipment remains between 18 and 27 degrees C (64.4 to 80.6 degrees F). The method also ensures proper temperature regulation, humidity control, and fire protection in server rooms.
Environmental Monitoring Method
Environmental monitoring is another essential element of data center maintenance and cooling. As defined by the UNECE, environmental monitoring is a tool to assess environmental conditions and trends, support policy development and its implementation, and develop information for reporting to national policymakers, international forums, and the public. These are the processes used to ensure the quality of the environment that processes are taking place. Important elements of effective data center environmental monitoring include:
Humidity Control
Humidity can have a huge impact on circuit boards and devices within a data center. As a result, it’s crucial to always maintain a consistent and safe level of humidity control to prevent property damage and server malfunctions. ASHRAE recommends an acceptable relative humidity range of 20 and 80%. However, in environments with high levels of both copper and silver corrosion, ASHRAE states that the upper moisture level should be kept below 60% RH, possibly lower than 50%. Companies should invest in humidity control and detection systems to maintain a safe amount of humidity at all times. Apart from humidity, fire control is also a huge part to consider.
Fire Protection
Data centers generate a lot of heat and with that heat comes the inherent risk of fire. Electric devices and combustible components make it dangerous for data centers to operate without effective fireproofing and detection systems in place. Companies need to invest in effective fire protection strategies and gas or water suppression systems to prevent the risk of fire-related disasters. The National Fire Protection Association 75 and 76 standards offer guidelines for the protection of data centers. For effective data center cooling systems, you need to rely on the best cloud providers and innovative thinkers – which is why Sangfor is here for you.
How Sangfor can enhance Data Center Cooling Efficiency?
Sangfor is a leading cloud computing and cybersecurity provider that insists on quality platforms and intuitive technologies that go the extra mile. Boasting reliable, compact, and easy-to-maintain solutions for your data center needs, Sangfor strives to also support advanced cooling systems and energy-efficient innovations. Learn more about Sangfor’s dedication to inspiring data center infrastructure with up to a 90% reduction in power, cooling, and space consumption by downloading the Hyper-Converged Infrastructure brochure and looking at the several ways Sangfor is here to support you in your data center journey today.
Data center cooling systems allow your servers and business to run smoother with reliable, energy-efficient, and safe methods. Keep your company optimized to its full potential with a cooling data center strategy that goes further. Invest in the latest data center cooling technologies on the market while understanding the challenges of keeping data center energy efficiency in check.
For more information on Sangfor’s cybersecurity and cloud computing solutions, please visit www.sangfor.com.
