Cutting-edge cooling for a Benchmark in Sustainable Data Centres
One of the largest and most energy-efficient data centres, designed to set new sustainability and operational efficiency standards, has been supplied with seventy-one free cooling chillers, 330 fan array units, and eight advanced control systems. With an industry-leading Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of just 1.2, the facility demonstrates best-in-class performance and commitment to environmental responsibility.
Next-Generation Cooling for Maximum Efficiency
This high-performance data centre is built to handle large-scale IT workloads while maintaining low energy consumption. The facility features state-of-the-art infrastructure and cutting-edge technology, ensuring exceptional efficiency and reliability.
To support its sustainability and performance goals, a bespoke water-based cooling system has been implemented, featuring:
- 71 inverter-driven free cooling chillers
- 330 high-efficiency fan array units
- 8 intelligent control systems for real-time optimisation
This setup uses free cooling chillers to supply chilled water to the fan arrays, which then regulate the temperature in the data halls (white space), ensuring stable and efficient operations.
European Manufacturing Excellence
All components have been developed across four R&D and manufacturing centres in Italy and the UK, ensuring high standards of quality, efficiency, and reliability:
- Chillers and screw compressors – Ariccia, Italy
- Variable frequency drives (VFDs) and harmonic filters – Vicenza, Italy
- Fan arrays – Settala, Italy & Cramlington, UK
Inverter-Driven Free Cooling Chillers
The EWFH-TZ D air-cooled free cooling chillers were selected for their energy efficiency, reliability, and compact footprint. These units feature:
- Daikin-developed screw compressors, optimised for low maintenance and high efficiency
- Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) technology, which adjusts compressor speed to match cooling demand, reducing energy consumption
- Active Harmonic Filter, ensuring a stable power supply and minimising energy losses
Efficiency Gains with VFD Technology
The Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) allows the chillers to adjust power consumption based on real-time demand, significantly improving energy efficiency at partial load conditions.
The VFD is refrigerant-cooled, making it resistant to temperature fluctuations, dust, and humidity, ensuring long-term reliability.
Advanced Screw Compressor Technology
Designed for high durability and low maintenance, the screw compressors feature a precision-matching star rotor, ensuring optimal energy use and minimal mechanical wear.
Reducing Harmonic Distortion for Stable Power Supply
The Active Harmonic Filter continuously monitors and filters out harmonic distortions, which can cause overheating and equipment failure. By maintaining Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) below 5%, this technology improves power stability and equipment longevity while reducing operational costs.
AI-Driven Cooling Optimisation
The Intelligent Data Centre Manager (IDCM) uses AI and machine learning to continuously optimise system performance, integrating seamlessly with chillers and fan arrays to:
- Adjust cooling output in real-time based on demand
- Improve energy efficiency and reduce costs
- Enhance reliability and long-term performance
By leveraging predictive analytics, the IDCM ensures stable, high-efficiency operation, adapting dynamically to fluctuating IT loads.
Modular Fan Array Units for Scalable Cooling
The Daikin Pro-W Fan Array units were selected for their compact, scalable design and energy-efficient operation. These units offer:
- Precise cooling control, ensuring consistent temperatures in data halls
- Electronically Commutated (EC) fans, which automatically adjust speed to optimise energy consumption
- Flexible installation options, maximising space utilisation and improving airflow management
Modular fan array technology allows the cooling system to scale to meet increasing demands, ensuring long-term performance and efficiency quickly.
A Future-Proof Cooling Solution
This state-of-the-art cooling system enhances data centre performance while reducing environmental impact by integrating high-efficiency free cooling chillers, AI-driven control systems, and modular fan arrays.
This project underscores the commitment to developing sustainable, high-performance HVAC solutions that support the evolving needs of modern data centres.
For more information, visit Daikin's Data Centre Cooling Solutions.