Features & Design of a Scalable Data Center Cooling System

When making a significant purchase, such as a car or a house, you know to consider not only the here and now. Instead, you know long-term thinking is crucial. Things change, and you want your investment to serve you well into the future.

Scalable cooling systems embody this forward-thinking approach. Such cooling systems are designed to efficiently handle present cooling requirements while being prepared to handle increased demands as data usage grows. And much like in our life, in the cooling industry, things change too. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, the global energy demand for cooling is expected to increase by 45% by 2050 compared with 2016.

This adaptability makes investing in a scalable cooling system a strategic choice for modern data centers, ensuring optimal performance now and readiness for future challenges.

What is a Scalable Cooling System and Why is it Important?

A scalable cooling system is designed to offer flexibility and expandability without complete system retrofitting. Utilizing modular designs and redundant components, these systems allow for easy modifications as data center cooling demands change and require a higher capacity. 

Some benefits of scalable cooling systems include:

• Adaptability: Scalable cooling systems offer unparalleled flexibility. They can be easily adjusted to fit various spaces, relocated as needed, and scaled up or down to match specific cooling requirements.
• Cost Savings: Scalable cooling systems’ flexibility ensures they remain efficient over time and adapt to actual cooling demands, leading to significant cost savings.
• Energy Efficiency: A scalable cooling system optimizes operation as demands fluctuate, reducing strain on the entire unit. This results in a lower Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and decreased electricity costs.
• Environmental Sustainability: Scalable cooling systems help reduce the data center’s carbon footprint by using resources more efficiently. 
• Simplified Maintenance: The modular design allows for independent access and servicing of individual units. This streamlines maintenance procedures, reduces downtime, and simplifies troubleshooting and repairs.

What Makes A Data Center Cooling System Scalable?

To facilitate the expandability needed for modern data center cooling, scalable cooling systems incorporate several key features and designs. These elements ensure the system can grow and adapt to changing demands efficiently and effectively.

Modular Design

Modular designs are at the heart of scalable cooling systems. For instance, data center cooling solutions, like AIRSYS’ Optima2™, can incorporate up to 16 units capable of operating individually or as a single large unit. Similarly, the UniCool-Edge™ system allows up to six units to be connected to one intelligent control panel. This modular approach allows data center operators to start with the cooling capacity they need and seamlessly add more units as demand grows. Also, it provides significant flexibility in terms of both capacity and space and facilitates easier maintenance, as individual modules can be serviced or replaced without affecting the entire system.

Variable-Speed Compressors & Fans

Variable speed compressors and fans are crucial components of scalable cooling systems. Unlike traditional fixed-speed units, variable-speed compressors and fans can adjust their output based on real-time cooling demands, providing precise temperature control. This not only improves energy efficiency by reducing unnecessary power consumption but also extends the lifespan of the equipment by reducing wear and tear from constant on-off cycling. By dynamically adjusting to the precise data center cooling needs at any given moment, these components ensure that the cooling system remains efficient and effective as demands fluctuate.

Customizable Alarm System for Flexibility

A customizable alarm system is essential for maintaining the scalability and efficiency of data center cooling. These systems allow operators to set specific thresholds and alerts tailored to their unique environment and operational needs. As the data center evolves, the alarm parameters can be easily adjusted to accommodate new equipment, changing load patterns, or updated compliance requirements.

Utilization of Renewable Energy Sources

Integrating renewable energy sources into data center cooling systems is critical in creating truly scalable and sustainable solutions. As cooling demands increase, traditional energy sources may become strained or cost-prohibitive. By incorporating renewable energy sources, energy conservation techniques, and heat recovery mechanisms — as implemented in AIRSYS’ LiquidRack™ — cooling systems can expand their capacity without proportionally increasing their environmental impact or operational costs. This approach makes the cooling system not only scalable in terms of performance but also future-ready in terms of resource utilization.

The Cooling Technology

The choice of cooling technology plays a significant role in a system’s scalability. For instance, precision air cooling incorporates self-diagnostic sensors for monitoring temperature and humidity deviations with self-correcting functions. These features allow the system to maintain optimal conditions autonomously, even as the data center’s heat load changes over time.

Free cooling is another technology that enhances scalability. As data centers expand, integrating free cooling can help manage the increased cooling load by seamlessly switching between mechanical and free cooling based on environmental conditions and cooling demands.

Start Investing in Scalable Cooling Solutions Today to Accommodate the Needs of Tomorrow

While your data center’s current cooling needs may not demand all the advanced features of scalable cooling systems outlined above, it’s crucial to anticipate future expansion. Investing in scalable solutions today ensures you’re future-ready for tomorrow’s challenges, avoiding costly retrofits and operational disruptions down the line.

At AIRSYS, we are driven by an innovative approach, on a mission to redefine what’s possible in the cooling industry. Our cutting-edge cooling solutions are designed to be future-proof, prepared to handle upcoming cooling technologies. With capacities ranging from 7kW to 240kW, our products cater to facilities of all sizes and complexities.

Whether you need to meet current demands or seek to future-proof your critical infrastructure, contact us today to explore how our scalable cooling solutions can support you while preparing you for future growth.