Intelligent Data Centres Issue 56 | Page 65

Vertiv issues updated guidance for data centres during extreme heat

Data centre cooling experts at Vertiv , a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions , have issued updated guidance for managing extreme heat . In the recent Summer period , devastating heatwaves washed over much of the US , Mexico , Canada , Europe and Asia . Widespread wildfires in Canada triggered air quality alerts across that country and much of the Eastern half of the US . Similar extreme heat events across Asia caused widespread power outages and Europe broke heat records as the fastestwarming continent .

Climate change has made the past eight years the hottest on record , but with an El Niño weather pattern compounding the issue this year , many forecasts anticipated record-breaking temperatures in 2023 . Sizzling outdoor temperatures and their aftermath create significant challenges for data centre operators who already wage a daily battle with the heat produced within their facilities . However , there are steps organisations can take to mitigate the risks associated with extreme heat .
These include :
1 . Clean or change air filters : The eerie orange haze that engulfed New York City was a powerful visual representation of one of the most immediate and severe impacts of climate change . For data centre operators , it should serve as a reminder to clean or change air filters in their data centre thermal management systems and HVAC systems . Those filters help to protect sensitive electronics from particulates in the air , including smoke from faraway wildfires .
2 . Accelerate planned maintenance and service : Extreme heat and poor air quality tax more than data centre infrastructure systems . Electricity
providers often struggle to meet the surge in demand that comes with higher temperatures and outages are common . Such events are not the time to learn about problems with an Uninterruptible Power Supply ( UPS ) system or cooling unit . Cleaning condenser coils and maintaining refrigerant charge levels are examples of proactive maintenance that can help to prevent unexpected failures .
3 . Activate available efficiency tools : Many modern UPS systems are equipped with high-efficiency eco-modes that can reduce the amount of power the system draws from the grid . Heatwaves like those we ’ ve seen recently push the grid to its limits , meaning any reductions in demand can be the difference between uninterrupted service and a devastating outage .
4 . Leverage alternative energy sources : Not all data centres have access to viable alternative energy , but those that do should leverage off-grid power sources . These could include on- or off-site solar arrays or other alternate sources , such as off-site wind farms and Lithium-Ion batteries , to enable peak shifting

SIZZLING OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES AND THEIR AFTERMATH CREATE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES FOR DATA CENTRE OPERATORS .

or shaving . The use of generators is discouraged during heat waves unless an outage occurs . Diesel generators produce more greenhouse gas and emissions associated with climate change than backup options that use alternative energy . In fact , organisations should postpone planned generator testing when temperatures are spiking . �
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