Data Center Cooling
Power Quality Solutions for Data Center Cooling
The skyrocketing demand for data centers is driven by the exponential growth of data for A.I., IoT, cloud storage, data analytics, security, communications, and digital currency. The cooling centers used within these centers are critical to maintaining proper operating temperatures. On average, cooling represents 40% of a data center’s energy consumption. In order to reduce costs, companies drive better cooling efficiencies through the use of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) on the chillers, cooling towers, and electronically controlled (EC) fans and motors. As the demand for VFDs rises, so do the power quality issues. MTE power quality solutions ensure maximum obtainable efficiencies are achieved, less stress on the utility is created, and the lifespan of motors are greatly increased.
COOLING TOWER
- Circulates cooled air throughout the data center ductwork
CHILLER
- Cools the water used in HVAC systems
- Requires uninterrupted power as they take a long time to restart after power loss
- Only warm air blows without the chiller
CONTROL CABINET
- Houses the VFDs used to regulate the speed of the motors controlling the HVAC equipment
FAN WALLS – EC FANS
- Helps obtain optimal air flow
- Improves reliability
- Reduces sound and vibration
- Eliminates unnecessary ductwork
HEAT EXCHANGER
- Removes the warm air from the system
CRAC/CRAH
- Circulates cooled air throughout the data center ductwork
Power Quality Challenges for Data Center Cooling
Today’s data centers use massive amounts of energy. The addition of VFDs provide greater flexibility in achieving the efficiencies required to reduce energy costs and CO2 emissions associated with these power demands. VFD usage, however, comes with its own set of challenges in that they generate damaging harmonics that negatively impact the power grid.
Constant monitoring of both the system and the environment in which the data centers live is paramount in protecting these systems from succumbing to these unwanted harmonics. The increased number of monitoring sensors have made it even more important to keep machine communication clean. A drop in fan performance from harmonics can cause the cooling systems to overheat and ultimately, fail.
Efficiency Standards
Data center power consumption amounts to 3% of all electricity generated on the planet, driving the need for increased efficiency and power savings.
Uptime Requirements
Increased cloud computing demand from all sectors requires that data centers stay up and running over 99.9% of the time.
EC Fan Adoption
ECM fans improve energy efficiencies in < 10 HP applications, but VFD technology adds harmful harmonics throughout the building electrical system.
Tighter Regulations
Stringent standards, such as ASHRAE 90.1 and 2023 DOE result in additional usage of VFDs and non-linear loads, thereby increasing unwanted harmonics in the system.
MTE Featured Data Center Solutions
MTE offers a complete line of power quality solutions for the Data Center industry that are aimed at lowering current distortions and protecting expensive equipment from damaging transient voltages. MTE solutions keep motors and cables running longer which ultimately results in energy savings for the consumer.
