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Cooling data centres : A hot topic
Virginia Tech data centre . Courtesy of Christopher Bowns via Wikimedia Commons .
Over the last couple of years , we have seen a steady increase in data centres , which are used to store data and facilitate telecommunications , among other needs . These centres generate a wealth of heat , and heat exchangers assist with both cooling and valuable heat recovery .
By Alexandra Kist , Heat Exchanger World
To find out more about the heat exchanger-focused perspective on the matter , Heat Exchanger World spoke with Anna Blomborg , Industry Manager Data Centres at Alfa Laval . “ This industry has a big sustainability challenge ,” she states . Anna finds that , up until now , this industry has focused largely on green power but as much as 40 % of that power is used for cooling the servers ; now , the focus is moving more and more towards sustainable cooling solutions . “ We specialise in data centre cooling solutions . What we often see is that in this industry , the focus lies with security and uptime . The general philosophy seems to be that the bigger the design , the more security it will offer . For instance , someone might need a heat exchanger for 500 m 3 per hour , but will then buy one that can do 1000 m 3 per hour , because that sounds like a safe option . In reality , the total opposite may be true ,” Anna explains . “ A heat exchanger will work best when running at the designed conditions , and when designed properly . The real challenge lies there . Technology providers should be involved early in this design phase , so they can help out with coming up with the optimal design . So many heat exchangers in the world are not running as they should , and that ’ s an energy efficiency waste .”
Data centre boom In recent years , there has been a rapid growth and expansion of data centre infrastructure . A data centre is a large facility used to house computer systems and related components , such as telecommunications and storage systems . The boom in data centres can be attributed to several factors , including the exponential growth of data being generated and stored by individuals and organisations , the increasing demand for cloud computing and big data analytics , and the rise of Internet of Things ( IoT ) devices . The need for data centres has become critical for many companies as they require high-speed , reliable connectivity and massive storage capabilities to manage the growing volumes of data . This has led to significant investment in building and expanding data centres globally . Moreover , the COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the data centre boom , with more people working remotely and using cloud-based services for their work and personal needs . Overall , the data centre boom has created new opportunities for businesses and investors in the technology sector , while also contributing to the growth of the digital economy .
Cooling data centres Data centres need to be cooled to prevent overheating of the electronic equipment housed within them . Electronic
38 Heat Exchanger World April 2023 www . heat-exchanger-world . com