Daikin Supplies High-Efficiency Cooling for Norway’s Largest Data Centre

Daikin has provided advanced cooling technology for one of Norway’s largest and most energy-efficient data centres. The facility, designed to set new sustainability and operational efficiency benchmarks, features 71 free cooling chillers, 330 fan array units, and eight advanced control systems. With a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of just 1.2, it demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental responsibility and energy efficiency.

Advanced Cooling for High-Performance Operations

The data centre is designed to support large-scale IT workloads while maintaining low energy consumption. A custom water-based cooling system ensures stable and efficient temperature regulation. The system includes:

• 71 inverter-driven free cooling chillers supplying chilled water to the cooling infrastructure.
• 330 high-efficiency fan array units regulating temperature in the data halls.
• 8 intelligent control systems for real-time optimisation.

European Manufacturing and Engineering

All components were developed at Daikin’s manufacturing and R&D centres in Italy and the UK:

• Chillers and screw compressors – Ariccia, Italy
• Variable frequency drives (VFDs) and harmonic filters – Vicenza, Italy
• Fan arrays – Settala, Italy & Cramlington, UK

Energy-Efficient Free Cooling Chillers

The EWFH-TZ D air-cooled free cooling chillers were selected for their compact footprint, reliability, and energy efficiency. These units incorporate:

• Daikin-developed screw compressors, optimised for low maintenance and high performance.
• Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) technology, adjusting compressor speed to match cooling demand, reducing energy consumption.
• Active Harmonic Filter, maintaining power stability and minimising energy losses.

Intelligent Energy Optimisation

The VFD technology allows the chillers to adjust power consumption based on real-time demand, improving energy efficiency, particularly at partial load conditions. The refrigerant-cooled VFD enhances durability, protecting against temperature fluctuations, dust, and humidity.

The screw compressors feature a precision-matching star rotor design, ensuring efficient energy use and minimal wear.

The Active Harmonic Filter reduces harmonic distortion, keeping Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) below 5%, stabilising power supply and enhancing equipment longevity.

AI-Driven Cooling Optimisation

The Intelligent Data Centre Manager (IDCM) uses AI and machine learning to optimise system performance dynamically. It integrates 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 in response to fluctuating IT loads.

Scalable Cooling with Modular Fan Arrays

The Daikin Pro-W Fan Array units provide compact and scalable cooling. These units feature:

• Electronically Commutated (EC) fans, adjusting speed to optimise energy consumption.
• Precise cooling control, ensuring consistent temperatures in data halls.
• Flexible installation options, improving airflow management and space utilisation.

The modular fan array technology allows for future scalability, adapting to increasing cooling demands efficiently.

A Future-Ready Cooling Solution

By integrating high-efficiency free cooling chillers, AI-driven control systems, and modular fan arrays, this cooling system enhances data centre performance while reducing environmental impact. The project highlights the role of advanced HVAC solutions in supporting the sustainability and efficiency goals of modern data centres.