Maximizing Power Efficiency in AI Data Center Cooling Solutions
Schneider Unveils Air-Cooled Cooling Solution, Recooling Chiller, etc.
With the advent of generative AI, the importance of cooling systems is increasing accordingly, with approximately 45% of total power usage being used to cool down computing devices such as central processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs) to manage the heat generated.
According to the industry, the data center cooling market is expected to grow by about 20-30% annually and is expected to expand to a scale of 40 trillion won within 5 years. In particular, global data centers are expected to reach 36 times the size of domestic ones.
Industry experts advise that “it is important to save energy by efficiently operating a cooling system suitable for each data center.”
On the 25th, Schneider Electric emphasized data center thermal management to improve the power efficiency of AI data centers. Schneider Electric's 'Free Cooling Chiller' is an air-cooling solution that uses outdoor air to minimize compressor operation in the mid-season or winter and uses fans and pumps to control the chilled water temperature to save energy.
Compared to traditional air-cooled chillers, which have an average Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of over 1.5, it can reduce the power usage effectiveness to 1.2. This can reduce the overall operating cost (OPEX) of the data center by minimizing annual energy usage.
Schneider Electric is also introducing a built-in Fan Wall that is designed to make the wall itself a fan, increasing the contact area between the air and the cooling water coil, enabling more efficient cooling than traditional temperature and humidity controllers. Schneider explained, “This can accommodate power ranging from 200kW to a maximum of 500kW, and can be used to separate IT computer rooms and machine rooms, making it more suitable for maintaining security.”
Schneider Electric also proposes a 'Cooling Optimizer' solution that monitors the power used in data centers and measures temperature to enable integrated energy efficiency management.
It consists of a sensor that measures the temperature of IT equipment (rack) and software (SW) that monitors it, and helps reduce power costs by optimally controlling cooling as needed for the IT load within the data center.
By utilizing Schneider Electric's Cooling Optimizer solution, you can reduce cooling power usage and carbon (CO2) emissions depending on the data center operating conditions and environment. This can reduce data center power costs and improve PUE, and enable data center operation in line with ESG management.
“As AI has emerged as a new trend, energy saving through data center heat management has become an essential element,” said Choi Sung-hwan, head of the Secure Power division at Schneider Electric Korea. “Schneider Electric is helping to reduce data center operating costs as well as increase energy efficiency and stability through various cooling solutions. “We will work together with our customers to operate their data centers sustainably by providing integrated solutions that cover not only cooling solutions applied to data centers but also after-sales management of the equipment,” he said.