Feature
CREATING OPTIMAL OPERATING
CONDITIONS FOR THE ‘ NEW GOLD ’
By Benjamin Brits
With the expansions and additions of data centres worldwide , particularly in South Africa , and driven by the increased demand for cloud-based and digital services comes the critical need for cooling in these facilities .
From humble beginnings when the first hard disk drive was invented in 1956 , technology advancement has pushed the progress of data and subsequent data storage needs . From that first single commercial hard drive sold that could store a mere 5 megabytes ( MB ) of information , 2020 will see global data storage capacity exceed 6.8 zettabytes ( ZB ).
If , like me , this sounds like a made-up word to you , it is in fact the term referring to a trillion gigabytes . Further still , what is currently termed ‘ theoretical capacity in storage ’ is a yottabyte ( YB ), which is equal to 1000 ZB , and will undoubtedly find its way into ‘ actual existence ’ not too far into the future . So , you can learn how to spell and pronounce these words in the meantime as they work their way into our , and definitely the younger generation ’ s everyday lives .
Interestingly , the global storage capacity between 2019 and 2020 will grow by more than 15 % and it is expected that this trend will continue , up to 20 % year on year until 2025 . All of the added storage capacity that is held by various data centres ( DC ) needs cooling , and with the heat generated from the componentry , coupled with the global drive to reduce energy consumption – efficiency will be more important than ever .
“ Use of any of the methods mentioned are primarily driven by the building and what you have to work with .”
Simply , the objective here is to control a sensitive environment using as little energy as possible . Data centres often provide service for critical applications , and therefore require highly effective systems for total reliability – cooling systems ensure the correct functioning of a DC and contribute to overall energy consumption of these facilities – being cognisant too they operate 24 / 7 / 365 .
All photos : Creative Commons
The sole function of data centre cooling is to ensure a controlled environment that enables optimal componentry function .
Gaining insight from HVAC suppliers to the data centre industry , consulting engineers and a solutions architect at an specialist information technology service organisation , you quickly become aware of the fact that data centres have become the digital nervous system that connect so many elements of the current era , and actually fulfil many links in society that you wouldn ’ t even think about normally – like swiping your debit or credit card to complete a purchase . Their importance further reveals the nuances in secrecy , security and performance needs of every operation .
“ DCs have become high-security facilities – some of the most secure sites around and are actually comparable to a bank vault . A lot of these centres work according co-location – simply meaning that various companies store their data at a particular facility – and you don ’ t necessarily want just anyone to know where your data is being stored . If these systems are compromised or are sabotaged in any way , you could lose an entire business or a significant portion of a business . Information and data today are extremely valuable . Not adequately managing cooling , humidity and filtration affects
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I January 2021 33