Overcoming the Challenges of Data Center Cooling

As computing densities rise and net-zero targets become more urgent, operators must confront a range of complex cooling challenges—from inconsistent airflow to high operational costs.

Challenges of Data Center Cooling

Maintaining stable environmental conditions in a data center requires overcoming a range of technical and operational complexities. Specific challenges that may be encountered include:

• Uneven Cooling. Variations in air and water flow, and changes in server heat output, can create areas that are over- or under-cooled. Poor airflow design – for example, when hot air is allowed to linger and recirculate rather than being removed – can exacerbate this problem.

• Air and Water Quality Issues. Poor water quality can lead to biological growth, corrosion and leaks in water-cooled systems, while dust and other contaminants can impact the efficiency of air conditioning.

• Scalability and Integration. As the data center’s needs grow, so does the demand for cooling capacity. Adding more servers and storage devices will require a corresponding increase in cooling power, which may be difficult to achieve, especially when there are space constraints or when new technology needs to be retrofitted alongside legacy systems.

• Cost and Sustainability Pressures. The high energy cost, water usage and carbon footprint of data center cooling are a major concern. With cooling accounting for up to 60% of a facility’s energy costs, operators must find cost-effective solutions that strike the right balance between performance and resource use.

• Resilience Issues. Data centers can be vulnerable to a multitude of risks, from extreme weather to power outages and cyberattacks. Operators need to consider how to make systems more resilient against disruption when the unexpected happens.

Solutions for Data Center Cooling

Efficient cooling should be at the forefront of any data center with air or liquid-based cooling systems playing a pivotal role.

Air-Based Cooling

Computer Room Air Conditioners (CRACs) have historically been the most common method of managing temperatures in data centers. However, the higher power density of modern servers can push these systems beyond their capacity, leading to increased energy use and reduced efficiency. Liquid cooling or direct-to-chip cooling may be necessary to manage higher thermal loads.

Liquid Cooling

Fluids offer significantly better thermal transfer properties than air, making water-based cooling systems ideal for managing high thermal loads. These systems are typically available in two configurations: open-loop systems, which can be put together from individual components for more design flexibility, or closed-loop systems, which are typically supplied as preassembled units, offering simplicity and reliability.

In areas with water supply challenges, the use of recycled water, potentially with on-site storage and treatment, may boost sustainability and resilience. Where there are water quality concerns such as biological growth, additional disinfection can be considered.

In regions with water supply constraints, the use of recycled water combined with on-site storage and treatment can enhance sustainability and resilience. Additional filtration or disinfection may be required where water quality issues, like biological growth or scaling, exist.

The Role of Monitoring and Measurement

Whichever type of water-based cooling system is chosen, it is important to monitor flow and temperature throughout the system, to help manage the use of power and water resources. Digital flow metering can help with sequence and cycle control for process cooling; it can help optimize the amount of make-up water used in cooling towers and the speed of pumping, saving water and energy.

The information provided by metering and sensing technology enables you to adopt a proactive approach to maintenance of your system, alerting you to any emerging issues with low or excessive flow, deterioration in water quality or drop in efficiency.

BlueEdge from Badger Meter can assist data centers with solutions including:

• Electromagnetic or Ultrasonic flow meters to measure the volume and velocity of water flowing through your system; clamp-on metering options are available that can be installed without cutting or tapping the pipe.
• Water quality monitors can help you maintain optimal water quality in an open or closed loop cooling system, preventing the build-up of contaminants or bacterial growth and avoiding corrosion and leakage.
• Integrated HVAC solutions, supported by analytics software, can combine flow, temperature and water quality measurement to help you optimize performance and protect the lifespan of HVAC systems.

From Insight to Action: Making Data Center Cooling Count

Cooling is a vital consideration for data centers to protect valuable IT infrastructure in all conditions and circumstances throughout the year. With the right cooling system and the right technology in place to manage and optimize its performance, operators can keep energy costs under control and look forward to years of reliable and efficient operation.