Can Data Center Free Cooling Be Utilized in the Middle East?

Prepared by: Noriel Ong, ASEAN Eng., MIET, PMP, PQP, ATD

05/02/2023

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Objective

• Learning the types of air economizers • Understanding the typical air

economizers configuration • Learning the advantages and

disadvantages of each type of air economizer system

• Understanding of the energy and water cost impacts of indirect evaporative cooling system.

INTRODUCTIONDATA CENTER AIR ECONOMIZERS, CONFIGURATION AND EXAMPLE PROJECTS

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AIR-SIDE ECONOMIZER

AIR-SIDE ECONOMIZER is “a system that has been designed to used outdoor air for cooling – partially or fully – when outdoor air meets certain criteria” (ASHRAE).

• DIRECT AIR-SIDE ECONOMIZERS– the outside air is directly supplied into the white space– the exhaust heat is reject fully or partially recirculated back – The outside air could also be cooled by means adiabatic cooling (aka DIRECT

EVAPORATIVE COOLING).

• INDIRECT AIR-SIDE ECONOMIZERS – The outdoor air does not enter the white space.– Data center (primary air) is cooled indirectly by the outside air via heat exchanger.– The primary air/heat exchanger (cold side) could also be cooled by means adiabatic

cooling. (aka INDIRECT EVAPORATIVE COOLING).

DIRECTAIR ECONOMIZERS

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DIRECT AIR-SIDE ECONOMIZER

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DIRECT EVAPORATIVE COOLING

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DIRECT AIR-SIDE ECONOMIZER (config.)

Fan Walls

CRAC/H or AHU

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DIRECT AIR-SIDE ECONOMIZER (EXAMPLE)

CONFIDENTIAL MULTINATIONAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANY DATA CENTER PHASE 2 EXPANSION

Project Features• Tier 2 electrical design• Tier 2 mechanical design• Modular design• Scalable design• Greenfield site• 2 data halls, expandable to 5• Each data hall scalable to 3.6mW of

critical load• Adiabatic cooling to provide annual

average 1.08 PUE

Size• 186,000sf

L O C K P O R T, N Y

Services Provided• Mechanical• Electrical• Plumbing• Fire protection• Fuel Oil

Completion Date• 2014

INDIRECTAIR ECONOMIZERS

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AIR-SIDE ECONOMIZER

INDIRECT AIR-SIDE ECONOMIZER

Primary Return Air

Primary Supply Air

Air-to-Air Heat Exchanger

Scavenger (Exhaust) Air

Scavenger (Outside) Air

Scavenger Fans

Primary Fans

Air FilterCooling Coil

Air Filter

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AIR-SIDE ECONOMIZER

INDIRECT AIR-SIDE ECONOMIZER (INDIRECT EVAPORATIVE COOLING)

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INDIRECT AIR-SIDE ECONOMIZER (config.)

Perimeter Configuration Roof Configuration

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INDIRECT AIR-SIDE ECONOMIZER (EXAMPLE)

T5 - EL SEGUNDO DATA CENTER CALIFORNIA

Project Features• Day 1:

• 5.5MW critical load• 85,000 s.f. white space

• Day 2 (ultimate):• 2.95MW critical load• 110,500 s.f. white space

• Brownfield site• PUE goal: 1.3• Rooftop Indirect Evaporative

Cooling Units (no chiller plant)• Diesel Generators• Goal of achieving LEED Gold• 36” Raised Floors

PROS AND CONSOF DATA CENTER AIR

ECONOMIZERS

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Risks Summary

Direct Air-Side Economizers Direct Evaporative Cooling Indirect Air-Side

EconomizersIndirect Evaporative

Cooling

Energy Consumption Low Medium

Water Consumption None Medium None Medium

Temperature Variations High Medium Low

Humidity Variations High Low

Air Quality Issues High None

Water Quality Issues None Medium None Medium

Complexity High Medium

Regional Support/Experience

High High Low

CASE STUDY1MW DATA CENTER MODEL

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ASSUMPTIONS

Syska Hennessy Group, MENA /

• 1MW data center critical (IT) load. Fully loaded at static conditions.• Based comparison with Air-cooled chilled water system with variable primary system

and Computer Room Air Handlers (CRAH).• Data center cabinets are in hot and cold aisle configuration with containment system.• White Space Supply/Return Air Temp (SAT/RAT)

• 77°F [25°C]/100°F [38°C]• Power and Water Tariffs are based on the local utility slabs.

• DEWA, ADDC, Qatar KAHRAMAA, Oman MEDC & PAEW, KSA SEC& NWC, Bahrain EWA, and Kuwait MEW.

• Weather Bin Data based on IWEC 2.• IDEC Wet Bulb Depression Efficiency =60%• IDEC Air to Air Heat Exchange Efficiency = 45%• IDEC primary and secondary(scavenger) fans speed are constant. • IDEC Dry Operations: =/< 48°F [9°C] DBT OA• IDEC Wet Operations: > 48°F [9°C] DBT and < 61°F [16°C] WBT OA• IDEC Partial Free Cooling: > 61°F [16°C] OA• Both the data center is pressurized by a DOAS• Analysis focus on white space only.

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AVAILABLE FREE COOLING - HOURS

Kuwait KSA, Riyadh KSA, Dhahran UAE, Dubai UAE, Abu Dhabi

Qatar, Doha Bahrain Oman, Muscat

0

876

1752

2628

3504

4380

5256

6132

7008

7884

8760

AVAILABLE FREE COOLING HOURS

Partial Free Cooling (Wet + Mechanical Operations) Wet OperationDry Operation

HOUR

S

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FINANCIAL IMPACTS

Kuwait KSA, Riyadh KSA, Dhahran UAE, Dubai UAE, Abu Dhabi

Qatar, Doha Bahrain Oman, Muscat

-100%

-80%

-60%

-40%

-20%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Financial Impacts

OPE

RATI

ON

CO

ST

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CONCLUSIONS

• The case study revealed that Riyadh, Dhahran and Kuwait has the most free cooling hours among other places in GCC countries that were evaluated.

• Although the analysis for UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman showed very limited free cooling hours, savings can still be achieved through partial free cooling.

• IDEC full and partial free cooling will reduce data center mechanical energy or overall utility cost.

• More operation cost savings could be realized if the modulation of secondary(scavenger) fans are accounted for, which is usually the case.

• Increasing the target supply air temperature limit will increase the number of full or partial free cooling hours.

• Selecting a higher supply air temperature, i.e. 77°F (25°C), will improve the economics of the economizer without even considering the option of using the allowable range.

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CONCLUSIONS

• Although the results seem favorable, there are also other considerations that need to be examined.• Water scarcity and storage. • System operation during dust/sand storms.• Although no known cases of Legionella were recorded, water

treatment may be required.• Regular maintenance of heat exchangers to mitigate fouling.

• Indirect airside economizer could be an alternative cooling solution in lieu with IDEC provided that local support will be present in the region.

Thank youAny questions?