Data centers are crucial for our digital infrastructure, but traditional air-cooling methods produce substantial heat and energy waste, accounting for 1-2 percent of the global electricity consumption.
An EU-funded project is now set to transform energy management with innovative technologies that promise significant improvements in energy efficiency. The project tackles the issue with the revolutionary technology “immersion cooling”. Unlike conventional air cooling, which relies on airflow, immersion cooling submerges components in a specialized dielectric fluid, achieving impressive Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) values below 1.1, compared to the 1.6 typical of traditional systems.
In the project, SINTEF is responsible for developing and coordinating models for process design and optimization of an immersion cooling system, combined with novel and highly efficient long-term heat storage.
Innovative heat recovery for maximum efficiency
The project goes beyond cooling by integrating an advanced heat storage system using Phase Change Materials (PCMs). These materials capture and store low-temperature heat for up to six months, bridging the gap between heat production and demand. This approach significantly reduces energy waste and allows for the recovered heat to be used for space heating or even electricity generation.
Adaptability and sustainability
The prototype’s modular design enables easy adaptation to various data center sizes and locations, offering straightforward installation both indoors and outdoors. Additionally, the system promotes environmental sustainability by utilizing recycled materials and supporting a zero-effluent design, which means that the system is designed to not produce any harmful emissions to the environment.
The project aims to set new benchmarks in data center energy management. Future steps include detailed technology assessments and exploring additional applications.
