The global data center market is expanding rapidly, with 11,000 data centers worldwide consuming 1.3% of the world's electricity. In response to the growth of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and edge computing, smaller and more distributed data centers have emerged. Over time, data centers have evolved from small rooms to massive facilities, with some referred to as hyper-scale data centers. These facilities consume significant energy, primarily to power and cool IT equipment. Efforts to improve energy efficiency include using more efficient cooling sources and energy-efficient server hardware. Prioritising smart design choices to reduce CO2 emissions, particularly by optimising cooling systems, is critical to reducing the environmental impact of digital infrastructure. Data center equipment generates heat during operation, so adequate cooling systems are essential to its proper functioning. Without effective cooling, the performance and reliability of equipment are at risk. Efficient cooling also helps to reduce overall energy costs, while ensuring optimal performance and operational continuity over time.
Therefore, cooling equipment must be kept in continuous operation and preventive maintenance is carried out to prevent breakdowns and service interruptions. Regular maintenance is essential to ensure the reliable operation of the entire data center system, ensuring performance and reliability over time. This in turn ensures business continuity for those who entrust their data to the servers.
Overview of a data center cooling system
The schematics above describe a typical HVAC plant for a data center, and introduce the main elements of Daikin’s solution:
- Air-to-water chiller
- Computer Room Air Handling (CRAH) unit
- Control systems
- After-sales services
In addition to the importance of a high-performance data center system, prioritising maintenance and repairs is also critical to maintaining the longevity and efficiency of the system. This article examines the key challenges to keep data centers under desired running conditions and how Daikin can help overcome them by means of its after sales services.
Challenge #1 Ensuring reliability over time
A data center system must remain reliable over time, given the criticality and volume of data it stores. In addition, disruptions or failures can cause serious economic loss and damage to the reputation of the data center operator itself.
Reason #1: To avoid this scenario, Daikin offers a preventive maintenance plan based on its own standard. This plan details all the activities to be carried out on field and the components to be checked and replaced throughout the product's life cycle. This approach is the result of Daikin's vast experience in its technology, accumulated over 55 years of chiller technology development and manufacturing in Daikin Applied Europe.
Challenge #2 Take service level into consideration
Service level relates to the approach in providing the service to the customer. Focusing on data centers, it is then critical to evaluate:
- warranty conditions
- proximity, availability, and competence of service
- quick availability of spare parts
Reason #2: In terms of warranty conditions, Daikin offers a standard one-year warranty, which can be extended to further four years to provide greater security for the customer.
Reason #3: Daikin sales offices in more than 170 countries ensure service availability wherever and whenever it is needed. As a result, Daikin can manage service requests according to protocols tailored to the customer's needs. Our extensive global presence ensures service management expertise.
Reason #4: Another important consideration is the availability of spare parts. As with services, the timely and professional supply of maintenance parts is of paramount importance. By agreement with the customer, Daikin can also manage a spare parts’ stock directly at the customer's premises, thus ensuring simplified management of maintenance operations.
Challenge #3 How to ensure cooling plant performances over time
Maintaining the constant performance of the data center cooling system is critical to its proper operation. This involves meticulously controlling temperatures to prevent service interruptions and ensuring energy efficiency and data center reliability. Proper maintenance lays the foundation for efficient facility management, leading to cost savings in the medium and long term. Scheduling overhauls in advance is the key to keeping equipment in optimal condition, rather than just performing regular maintenance.
Reason #5: To meet this challenge, Daikin offers preventive and corrective maintenance services that enable customers to respond quickly and effectively. The ability to deal with faults quickly is highly valued, as prolonged production downtime of hours or even days can result in significant disruption or even business damage. In addition, Daikin offers a comprehensive range of services designed to maintain and improve performance.
Daikin ability to work on improvements for existing equipment not only extends the life of HVAC systems, but also improves their performance and reliability. By offering retrofit solutions and upgrades, Daikin demonstrates its commitment to providing sustainable and innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers. This approach not only optimises the efficiency of HVAC systems, but also minimises downtime and maintenance costs, increasing the overall reliability of the equipment. By continually improving existing equipment, Daikin ensures that customers can rely on their HVAC systems for consistent performance and safety.
Challenge #4 How to prevent problems before they occur
When it comes to cooling data centers, it is vital to anticipate and prevent potential problems or malfunctions before they occur. Firstly, to ensure business continuity and the uninterrupted availability of critical hosted services. In addition, dealing with problems after they have occurred can be much more costly, both in terms of the immediate repair costs and the economic loss resulting from the sudden interruption of services. It is also important to consider that problems with the cooling system can lead to increased energy consumption, as the system may need to work more to maintain the desired temperatures. Preventive measures are therefore essential to ensure operational efficiency, contain costs and maintain the overall stability of data center operations.
Reason #6: Daikin offers the Daikin on Site (DoS) service, enabling real-time assessment of system operating conditions. It identifies potential issues before they impact performance and reliability, allowing for timely and appropriate interventions to be planned.
Daikin on Site is a cloud-based remote monitoring service for chillers and air handling units. This innovative tool provides remote monitoring, reporting, energy analysis and intelligent maintenance, giving detailed insight into system performance. DoS provides a dynamic service enabling asset owners to proactively prevent failures and minimize associated costs. It provides real-time, 24/7 data, ensuring continuous monitoring and performance analysis of plant components. By providing instant alerts and allowing remote adjustments, it enables rapid identification and resolution of problems, improving asset reliability. It also helps technicians anticipate and prepare for potential problems, streamlining maintenance tasks and minimizing HVAC system downtime.
Read more here about Daikin on Site (DoS).
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