www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I February 2024 15
Feature
DATA CENTRE DEVELOPMENT PICKING UP STEAM
Compiled by Eamonn Ryan
Data centres are the nerve centres of modern enterprises and societies – and they demand cutting-edge solutions for efficient cooling .
Data centre managers like Africa Data Centre , Vantage and
NTT offer floor space or cloud services for businesses to remotely set up their data centres . This shift reflects a move away from traditional building-attached data centres toward more flexible and efficient solutions .
The close of 2023 saw an upswing in tender activity for cooling systems for data centres , signalling a renewed urgency to complete projects before year-end . The market , once in a temporary hiatus , appears to be picking up steam .
Data centres are a guarded world , with emphasis on security , energy efficiency and adaptability . This requires HVAC & R companies in this dynamic industry to be committed to innovation and energy efficiency , matching the ongoing evolution of data centre technology itself .
THE ROLE OF CONSULTING MECHANICAL ENGINEERS IN DATA CENTRE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION In the intricate world of data centre design and construction , consulting mechanical engineers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of these technological hubs .
Jonker Bester , a director at Spoormaker & Partners , explains that the process initiates with a critical document known as the Owner Project Requirements ( OPR ) – essentially a design brief by the data-hosting project owner , outlining the project ’ s fundamental needs . This can vary quite considerably , depending on how clients approach this stage . “ They have expectations at the outset – for instance , a hosting space for 300 or 600 racks at 2kW or 5kW per rack . Some clients adopt a streamlined , blueprint design process with consultants having taken the design up to stage three , which then goes to tender among general local contractors .”
However , in a more traditional process , the path involves a meticulous journey by the consulting engineer through stages one to six , encompassing design , tendering and implementation with the chosen contractors . “ The OPR serves as the cornerstone , guiding the entire design process , even if the client is not initially formal in articulating their requirements .”
Sometimes it is necessary to extract essential information from clients , for which purpose consulting engineers utilise design brief sheets . These sheets cover crucial aspects like the number of racks , kilowatts per rack , desired footprint , and the need for ancillary spaces such as staging and operator rooms . Bester notes that sometimes the project owner ’ s own clients will utilise some space and may have extremely specific requirements . The design brief acts as a guiding document , aligning the client ’ s vision with the technical aspects of the project .
The collaboration between consulting engineers and architects is crucial from the early conceptualisation stages . “ Depending on the project ’ s scale , the mechanical solution can range from a DX CRAC solution for smaller 100kW to 200kW switching centres which wouldn ’ t require a chiller plant ; to more intricate designs for larger data centres . The emergence of containerised data centres is a contemporary approach that is growing in popularity , allowing for efficient testing and deployment , where a DX ( direct expansion ) solution also works well .”
CHOOSING THE RIGHT COOLING SYSTEM FOR A DATA CENTRE In the evolving landscape of data centres , the critical decision of choosing the right cooling system is central to the design phase .
Andrew Koeslag , sales manager at HiRef South Africa , explains that suppliers play a crucial role in guiding consulting engineers through the myriad of choices available .
“ The diversity of available technologies , coupled with ongoing developments in refrigerants and compressors , presents a formidable challenge for engineers tasked with designing data centres . The dynamic nature of the industry , particularly with the global phase-out of high Global Warming Potential ( GWP ) refrigerants , adds an additional layer of complexity .”
Stefano Migliore , executive director of HiRef South Africa , adds that engineers often find themselves relying on suppliers to stay informed about the latest technologies and refrigerants . Establishing and maintaining relationships with consulting engineers consequently becomes crucial .
During his visits to consulting engineers , Koeslag says he encounters instances where professionals were unaware of the
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I February 2024 15