In the past decade , the expansion of data centres has led to heightened power demands . Almost every watt that powers servers consume gets turned into heat that needs to be managed . With the increased size of data centres comes the challenge of finding cooling solutions that are efficient in space , sustainability and economics .

What systems are on the market that solve these issues ?

Chilled water CRAC / CRAH systems have been the traditional cooling method . Despite improvements in chiller technology efficiency , these systems still consume substantial energy compared to newer cooling technologies . The market offers a range of solutions , from free cooling to future-proof options like Excool Zero and Excool Flex Solutions . This progression signifies an industry-wide move towards innovation .

What types of data centres would you encourage to invest in a year-round full or partial free cooling system ?

Different dynamics exist within the data centre sector : colocation , enterprise-style and hyper-scalers . Hyper-scalers tend to adopt wider temperature brackets due

to equipment homogeneity , resulting in full year-round or partial free cooling . Colocation providers , however , prioritise maintaining specific supplier temperatures to meet SLAs , often requiring a mix of free cooling and mechanical cooling .

What is indirect evaporative cooling ? How can it help data centres economise in terms of water and energy usage within their cooling systems ?

Indirect evaporative cooling maintains a physical barrier between external and internal air . This approach safeguards the white space from external contaminants . The technology employs high-pressure adiabatic sprays that cool air through evaporation . This method evolved from historical practices and allows for efficient cooling without introducing external air .

How is the Excool Advanced Data Centre Cooling system unique in its approach ?

Excool ' s innovation lies in its waterefficient design . Unlike traditional IDEC systems relying on excessive water usage , Excool combines small amounts of water with light mechanical cooling . This approach , efficient in all data centres but especially in 5MW + data centres , substantially reduces water and power consumption . Excool ' s Water Usage Effectiveness ( WUE ) has seen a dramatic 90 % drop , resulting in a more sustainable cooling solution . In addition , the Excool Zero has built-in water storage for 24 hours and water treatment .

Why does Excool ' s Zero Unit make a reliable and efficient choice ?

Excool ' s Zero Unit design simplifies maintenance , with accessibility at the forefront . Maintenance requires only semi-skilled engineers , making it a

reliable and efficient choice . The Zero Unit is envisioned as a chiller alternative , fostering confidence in its performance and reliability , a concept distinct within the industry . We want people to start thinking about our solution in the way that they think about a chiller solution . We joke that no one ever got fired for specifying a chiller on a data centre because you know it will work . We feel the same about our unit . We want people to be excited to use the Excool Zero because it ' s simple , one box , modular and almost plug-and-play and build-as-you-grow . This approach of considering maintenance in the design stages differs from others in the industry .

What direction do we see data centre cooling heading towards in the future ?

While the industry anticipates advancements in liquid cooling , we cannot stress enough the cautious nature of data centres due to their role in global connectivity . The integration of ASHRAE ' s temperature guidelines in expanding recommended supply air temperature and humidity range envelope is essential for the adoption of cutting-edge technologies . Liquid cooling and more efficient mechanical cooling solutions are on the horizon , with a focus on sustainable and environmentally-friendly options .

How will Sustainable Cooling shape the future ?

I envision a shift in data centre locations towards cooler climates , such as the Nordics . This move aligns with the industry ' s pursuit of sustainable practices while efficiently managing the growing energy demands of the digital era . In the realm of data centre cooling , Excool stands as a beacon of innovation , committed to reshaping the industry ' s landscape and driving forward sustainable solutions that address the challenges of today and the possibilities of tomorrow . �

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