Unmasking the power limitations of current data centers

Powering the digital revolution

Data centers are at the heart of our connected world, housing the servers and hardware that drive our digital services. With the exponential growth in data-driven applications and cloud computing, the demand for data center capacity has surged and is projected to continue to grow substantially over the coming years. This growing appetite for digital services comes with a substantial energy cost, mainly due to the electricity required to power both IT equipment and the cooling systems essential for maintaining optimal operating conditions.

The key to emergency preparedness: see the unseen using operational digital twins harnessing the power of CFD analysis

CFD analysis is a versatile simulation technique used to model fluid and gas behavior in complex environments. Within the context of data centers, CFD analysis takes center stage by allowing operators to simulate and understand airflow patterns, cooling flows, temperature, heat islands, and flue gas distribution. As this approach does not contain traditional limitations such as scale, it has the ability to consider the full scale of the site in the analysis. This allows the owners/operators to investigate, mitigate, and resolve some of the important constraints identified when extending the operation of the generator sets from infrequent to longer periods of operations. 

Addressing power outages

Global increase in power demand and limitations of the local transmission infrastructure have caused concerns with regard to power shortages. With increased occurrences of power outages, data centers can anticipate relying on their backup power solutions more frequently and for a longer duration than originally planned.

Data center operators face a wide sway of challenges if the power shortage results in longer emergencies. In a worst-case scenario, where data centers rely heavily on self-generated power, operators may struggle to keep their facilities operational due to factors such as generator emissions, fuel logistics, and more.

Similar issues exist for other data centers switching to extensive use of chillers which again can increase the local heat island effects. Both the chiller and the generator sets can create adverse effects, leading to unscheduled downtime, reduced capacity, or limiting the ability to meet the demands of required uptime.

The hidden risks of generator emissions

One of the often-overlooked risks during extended generator use is the massive heat generated. The generator sets produce combustion exhaust with temperatures reaching 500 to 900 degrees, creating what engineers call a ‘thermal plume of hot air’. In certain conditions, this thermal plume can harm or even disable a data center's critical systems, potentially leading to facility downtime.

The primary concern lies in the chiller units used for cooling data centers, which are usually located on the data center’s roof or at side-by-side chiller banks. On hot days when electricity demand is at its peak and the likelihood of generator use is high, these chillers are already operating near their capacity limits. If the thermal plume from the generator exhaust significantly raises the temperature, it can spell disaster for the data center due to rapid degrading of chiller performance.

Moreover, excessive heat emissions can also affect the generators themselves, causing them to produce less power than anticipated or even shut down, because of a local heat island effect. This could leave data centers in dire need of backup power during emergencies.

Using advanced digital analysis beyond wind tunnels: a game-changer

While data center design typically includes computer modeling of flue gas and thermal plumes, these models have been somewhat simplistic due to the perceived low risk of prolonged generator use. However, as the energy landscape changes, data center operators must conduct more detailed risk assessments that consider various weather and climate conditions. Running generators for extended periods during peak demand is a game-changer, necessitating a more accurate understanding of its effects.

Preparing for a power-hungry future: supply chain concerns and fuel logistics

In addition to managing heat emissions and generator performance, data centers must also consider the reliability of their fuel supply. Diesel belly tanks typically require refueling every 48 hours under constant operation. Recent power constraints and grid vulnerabilities have led data center operators to stockpile diesel and establish robust supply chains. However, in regions with clustered data centers like Loudoun County, Virginia in the Washington metropolitan area, delivering fuel to multiple facilities can become a logistical challenge.

A glimpse into the future of power challenges

Global power demands are increasing and outpacing the infrastructure needed to support it. This unpredictability in power demand is complicating matters for utility providers, even those with a history of collaboration with the industry.

As the energy landscape evolves, data center operators must adapt to ensure their facilities can withstand power limitations and emergencies effectively. Multiple areas around the world are experiencing a strain on the grid, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to emergency preparedness and power management.

In conclusion, power limitations in data centers are a pressing concern, particularly during large-scale emergencies. CFD analysis emerges as an indispensable tool in this context, offering the ability to simulate and understand complex airflow patterns, flue gas, and temperature dynamics with a clear advantage, to see the unseen before implementation and to mitigate issues in advance. Data center operators must embrace site-scale CFD analysis as part of their emergency preparedness strategy to ensure uninterrupted service delivery in an increasingly power-hungry world.

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