Artificial Intelligence Could be the Next Frontier in Data Center Cooling

With the continual drive to minimize costs and energy usage of data centers, Google recently gave us a hint of what could prove to be the future of data center cooling. Artificial intelligence.

The industry already has been effectively reducing energy consumption with innovative technology like evaporative air, cool aisle/hot aisle containment and chilled water systems to replace traditional cooling systems. And those innovations appear to becoming more mainstream.

However, DeepMind, which has primarily been recognized for using artificial intelligence to win games against humans, has shown that it can successfully address the complexities of data center cooling.

Researchers at Google, which acquired DeepMind, used it to address all the variables associated with powering a data center efficiently, taking into account weather, demand and other variable factors. After putting the AI to the task with one of its data centers, it was able to reduce overall energy use for cooling by 40 percent, the company said.

The research team said that it would release details of the experiment at a later date.

Cooling systems for data centers traditionally have involved using air conditioning units in the computer room (CRACs) that regularly deliver a supply of cool air through perforated plates on a raised floor — thus keeping the racks at a safe temperature.

To minimize the energy costs related to this inefficient system, many companies have been exploring new technologies to reduce the waste.

At Lifeline Data Centers, we’re committed to innovative ways to reduce energy consumption while not compromising on performance. Our data centers feature customized power generation and distribution, highly redundant chilled water systems, solar power generation and low power air handlers.

Stop by for a tour of our facilities. We’ll show you around and explain how we can deliver on higher uptime and lower costs. Contact us for more information.

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Rich Banta

Managing Member at Lifeline Data Centers

Rich is responsible for Compliance and Certifications, Data Center Operations, Information Technology, and Client Concierge Services. Rich has an extensive background in server and network management, large scale wide-area networks, storage, business continuity, and monitoring. Rich is a former CTO of a major health care system. Rich is hands-on every day in the data centers. He also holds many certifications, including: CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor CRISC – Certified in Risk & Information Systems Management CDCE – Certified Data Center Expert CDCDP – Certified Data Center Design Professional