Posts

Showing posts from April, 2014

Evaporative cooling and adiabatic humidification for data centers

Image
The data center air-conditioning solution with the highest energy efficiency and lowest environmental impact The graph illustrates the climatic conditions in which the evaporative cooling, in case combined with a heat recovery unit, gives the opportunity to reach the temperature and humidity conditions as recommended bt ASHRAE and reduces significantly the mechanical cooling energy consumption. The green area (FC) represents the conditions in which it is possible to use the free cooling, the adjacent area (FC+MIX) describes the conditions in which it is necessary to mix the external air with the return air in order to keep the temperature under control. The area below (FC+MIX+HUMIDIFICATION) needs an additional adiabatic humidification to reach the minimum humidity set by ASHRAE. The blue area (DEC) identifies the initial external air conditions, suitable to reach the temperature set point with direct evaporative cooling DEC only! The yellow area (IEC) represents indir

Energy saving solutions for data centers

Image
Data center air-conditioning Data center air-conditioning is essential for the correct operation of Information Technology equipment: processing and storage devices produce considerable heat that needs to be removed in order to maintain optimum operating conditions. Worldwide data center power consumption is estimated to be 30GW, accounting for around 1.5% of the earth's total electricity usage: as a result of this astonishing level of energy consumption, energy saving solutions are increasingly adopted. Currently the most widely implemented technological solution involves the use of Computer Room Air Conditioners (CRAC) or Close Controls Units (CCU), which cool and where necessary humidify the air in the data center. Continuous technological development in the sector and a constant focus on energy saving are reflected in the evolution of the air-conditioning solutions adopted: from controlling air distribution to installing air-conditioners, near the heat sources, a