Cooling the technical surge

The digital growth and uproar of technology are visible across all industries. The technology spurt during the COVID-19 pandemic changed the entire dynamics. Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the technology landscape, and data centres are no exception. AI algorithms are computationally heavy and will increase data centres’ power consumption and cooling requirements, deeply affecting data centre infrastructure.

The tip-of-the-finger information and ease of life due to the smartness of the appliances have eased our lives. The first search engine was introduced for public use in the 1990s, but it took a decade, and multiple competitors gained prominence, yet it was limited to developed countries.  In contrast, the emergence and adoption of Al was abrupt, and it changed the functioning of users. Al replaced the monotonous work procedure, and it also took over physical work. But nothing comes free of cost. Goldman Sachs Research reported that, on average, a ChatGPT query needs nearly ten times as much electricity to process as a Google search. This difference signals an impending transformation in how the world consumes power and the associated costs. Al consumes energy and produces a lot of heat.

The data produced by technology gives data centres credit for being the backbone of this industry. Now, as the pace of the Al revolution gathers steam, Goldman Sachs Research estimates that data centre power demand will grow 160% by 2030. Shares of cooling technology solution providers have risen in direct proportion to the Al technology companies, signifying its prominence. Suresh Nar, Director – of Digital Advisory and Resilience at Arcadis Business Advisory (UK), shares that data centres are the backbone of our digital world and require massive amounts of water to cool the servers that process and store vast data.  Cooling systems in data centres also account for up to 40% of a data centre’s total energy consumption.  

Novel Technologies

Innovations in cooling technologies are changing how data centres manage heat, which is also synced to enhance energy efficiency and reduce operational costs.

Traditional air and water-based cooling systems have struggled to cope with the rising heat densities in modern data centres. However, breakthroughs like liquid cooling, particularly direct-to-chip and immersion cooling, offer a more targeted solution. By directly removing heat from processors, these technologies can cut energy consumption by up to 95% compared to air cooling, resulting in considerable savings on electricity bills. Kishor Patil, HVAC & Transport, India & SAARC Country Leader, Trane Technologies, also suggest that all-time tracking temperature, humidity, and airflow by deploying Al allows adjustments based on actual needs, preventing unnecessary energy use. By using less energy for cooling, data centres reduce their environmental impact and allocate more power to core computing functions.

Cooling efficiency has to be maximised, which requires a comprehensive approach. Hot/cold aisle containment separates hot exhaust air from cool intake air. Precision cooling solutions, such as close-coupled units or in-row coolers, can enhance this, delivering cool air directly to equipment. 

Economiser systems use outside air for cooling when conditions are favourable, reducing reliance on mechanical chillers. For high-density heat loads, liquid cooling technologies, such as water-based systems, provide efficient heat removal directly from IT equipment.

Some data centres are adopting alternative cooling methods to reduce water usage. The hot in the market, Al chip maker Nvidia, has witnessed rampant growth due to its sought-after service. The Wall Street Journal reported that they are cooling their data centres by circulating liquid in tubes passing through the hardware and not air. Microsoft’s data centre in Quincy, Washington, uses adiabatic cooling, which relies on air and small amounts of water, significantly reducing water consumption. Google has implemented a water recycling system at its  Douglas County, Georgia, data centre. It uses reclaimed wastewater from a local treatment facility, reducing the demand for freshwater while sustainably cooling data centres.

Designing a data centre

Data centres should be able to accommodate future growth without major overhauls and incorporate redundant systems for power, cooling, and network connectivity to minimise downtime. Other factors involve implementing robust physical and cybersecurity measures to protect data. Additionally, utilising energy-efficient technologies helps reduce operational costs and environmental impact, as suggested by Sandeep Kumar, Cloud Infrastructure SME and Program Management Expert at Compunnel.

Quality and competent chillers can reduce energy consumption compared to traditional models. Lower-power input fans and factory-installed controls can be made per the requirements to heal the heating planet. Simultaneously, heat and cool data centres with thermal management systems deliver three to four times higher efficiency than conventional methods.

Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power should be scheduled to manage electricity consumption and reduce carbon footprint. Energy-efficient hardware, including servers and storage devices that consume less power, is also essential. Advanced cooling technologies minimise energy use, and monitoring and improving Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) metrics ensure efficient energy use.

Innovations are the way up for humankind, and the expansion of Al is inevitable. The only care required is a sustainable approach to storing abundant data and maintaining its flow with regulated cooling technologies. Unwired cooling solutions can hamper the critical information entrusted in data centres and prove costly. Thus, cooling solutions are vital for new generating technologies.

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Kishor Patil, HVAC & Transport, India & SAARC Country Leader, Trane Technologies

“Liquid cooling and AI-powered management are cutting energy consumption by up to 95 percent in data centres, reducing operational costs, and enhancing overall efficiency.”

Sandeep Kumar, Cloud Infrastructure SME and Program Management Expert, Compunnel

“Liquid cooling for high-density servers lowers energy consumption, enhancing data centre efficiency while cutting operational costs—crucial for meeting growing computational demands sustainably.”

Suresh Nar, Director – Digital Advisory, Resilience at Arcadis Business Advisory (UK)

“Innovative cooling technologies in data centres, such as adiabatic cooling and water recycling, reduce water consumption while balancing technological advancement with sustainable resource management.”