www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I September 2024 17
Business
INNOVATIONS IN DATA CENTRE COOLING : BALANCE SUSTAINABILITY AND EFFICIENCY
By Eamonn Ryan
The 2024 Pan African Data Centres exhibition and conference held on 16 and 17 July in Johannesburg put the HVAC industry in the spotlight with a panel discussion on the topic ‘ Things are heating up – the growing innovation in cooling solutions ’.
The focus was squarely on the critical issue of cooling in data centres , a topic gaining increasing attention due to its significant energy consumption and environmental impact .
The panel discussion , moderated by Jonker Bester , a partner at Spoormaker & Partners , consisted of : Argyrios Papadopolous , a director of Greek HVAC company AIRCOCFD ; Michael Young , application engineer ( thermal ): Vertiv ; and Last Shadaya , senior mechanical engineer : Systemair .
The discussion highlighted various perspectives on how advancements in technology , particularly driven by the rise of artificial intelligence ( AI ), are reshaping strategies for efficient data centre cooling .
Bester commenced the discussion with a sobering statistic : data centres globally consume 1-2 % of the world ' s electricity supply . “ While this percentage may seem modest at first glance , it equates to enough power to sustain cities or even small countries . With projections of data centre growth indicate a potential doubling of this consumption to 4 % in the near future , the urgency to innovate and optimise cooling solutions becomes increasingly clear .”
Young noted : " Energy consumption is the main driver . Technological improvements like variable compressors and modulating fans are promising , but their implementation must be strategic to yield actual energy savings ."
The conversation delved into the challenges posed by such high energy demands , particularly in regions prone to power shortages like South Africa . AI emerged as a pivotal theme throughout the discussion , with experts advocating for its integration into cooling systems to optimise efficiency and reduce environmental impact . " AI-driven predictive analytics can significantly enhance cooling management ," remarked Shandaya , underscoring the potential of smart technologies to revolutionise data centre operations .
Initiatives focusing on renewable energy integration , waste heat recovery , and modular cooling solutions were highlighted as key strategies to mitigate environmental impact while meeting escalating demands .
All images © RACA Journal
Left to right : Moderator Jonker Bester , a partner at Spoormaker & Partners ; Argyrios Papadopolous , a director of Greek HVAC company AIRCOCFD ; Last Shadaya , senior mechanical engineer : Systemair ; and Michael Young , application engineer ( thermal ): Vertiv .
Young emphasised the importance of controlling cooling components to precisely match data centre demands . " We ' re moving towards a paradigm where we ' re not just adding components , but strategically controlling them . Initiatives such as utilising pressure transducers and remote temperature sensors are becoming commonplace . These innovations enable precise monitoring and adjustment of cooling systems , enhancing energy efficiency by optimising fan and compressor operations in response to real-time data .”
Addressing concerns over energy-intensive cooling processes , Shandaya highlighted significant industry strides . " One major breakthrough is the ability to operate data centres at higher temperatures . By minimising mechanical cooling through strategies like free cooling and hybrid systems , data centres can reduce their reliance on energyintensive compressors . This shift not only lowers operational costs but also aligns with global sustainability goals by reducing carbon footprints .”
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I September 2024 17