The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) has released a new technical note titled “Cooling technologies for sustainable data centres.” Authored by experts in energy and power engineering, the publication examines innovative cooling solutions designed to address the growing energy demands and environmental challenges posed by data centres.
With data centres playing a critical role in supporting big data, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, their energy consumption has surged. Cooling systems, which account for a significant portion of auxiliary energy use, are central to improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprints. The publication highlights advancements in cooling technologies to support these goals.
Key Insights from the Brief
- Innovative Cooling Architectures: The Brief delves into liquid cooling, air cooling, and hybrid systems that maximise efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
- Energy-Saving Strategies: The publication explores natural cooling technologies, AI-powered intelligent operation systems, and waste heat recovery for enhanced sustainability.
- Global Perspective: A roadmap is provided for achieving carbon neutrality in data centre operations, focusing on renewable energy integration and system optimisation.
- Future-Oriented Recommendations: Policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders are encouraged to adopt strategies that align with the rapid growth of the digital economy.
The Brief underscores the importance of viewing data centre cooling not only as a technical challenge but also as an opportunity to advance global sustainability efforts. With the green data centre market projected to grow by nearly 20% annually, innovations in cooling technologies are pivotal in enabling this transformation.
About the Authors
The Technical Brief was prepared by experts from China, including Shuangquan Shao, Penglei Zhang, and Xianting Li, president of IIR Section E on air conditioning, heat pumps, and energy recovery. The document was reviewed by international specialists: Yunting Ge (UK), Eckhard Groll (USA), Ji Hwan Jeong (Republic of Korea), and Andy Pearson (UK).
Access and Availability
The Technical Brief is freely available for download to IIR members, while a summary for policymakers, outlining the main findings and recommendations, is accessible in open access.
