Innovation in Cooling Techniques Can Bring Down Data Center Costs

Cooling is an important aspect for data centers. Time, effort, power and costs are involved in finding the best cooling solutions. While there is a lot of hype around new techniques such as liquid cooled heat sinks, immersion cooling, direct and indirect air side economization, many data centers are still using old mechanisms that might not be as efficient.

A cooling economizer system can considerably bring down costs and energy usage in a data center. This is a widely used system in newer constructions and hard to fit into an existing data center. This solution allows for direct cooling from the outside air when external air conditions, such as temperature and humidity, are favorable. It reduces the need to keep mechanical cooling systems switched on all the time, resulting in energy and cost savings of as much as 30 to 50 percent. When direct air economizers are used, however there is the risk of having pollutants and contaminants from entering into the data center environment. In this case, indirect air economizer systems can be used where the air is first treated through filters and ducts so as to avoid contamination. This is a safer solution, but increases the cost factor and impacts the energy savings.

Fluid economizers are also gaining popularity as a cost saving cooling technique. This solution is better suited to fit into existing data centers. Depending on outside temperature conditions, compressors can be shut off and small liquid pumps can be used as an alternative. When using a liquid pump, the energy utilized is almost one tenth than what is needed to operate a traditional compressor system.

Use of economizers is gaining momentum in new data centers and is backed by the ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010 and 90.1-2013. Prior to 2010, data centers were exempt from using economizers. Currently, based on geographical location, economizers are being added as part of the cooling solutions in most of the US.

We are always trying to find new ways to be efficient, in every aspect of our data center. For the best solutions in data center cooling in the Midwest, get in touch with us at Lifeline Data Centers today.

Alex Carroll

Managing Member at Lifeline Data Centers

Alex, co-owner, is responsible for all real estate, construction and mission critical facilities: hardened buildings, power systems, cooling systems, fire suppression, and environmentals. Alex also manages relationships with the telecommunications providers and has an extensive background in IT infrastructure support, database administration and software design and development. Alex architected Lifeline’s proprietary GRCA system and is hands-on every day in the data center.