As our lives become dominated by digital technology, and the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution drives the need for more cloud computing capabilities, there’s no doubt that data is now one of the most prolific and valuable commodities globally. According to the IDC, the global data sphere is expected to rapidly expand to 175 zettabytes in 2025, up from around 45 zettabytes in 2019, underscoring the sheer volume of information generated daily. This exponential growth drives an ever-increasing reliance on data centers, which serve as the backbone of digital infrastructure.
Integrity Energy states that large data centers of between 100,000 to several million square feet can contain tens of thousands of servers, consuming anywhere from 20 megawatts (MW) to more than 100 MW of power. Deloitte predicts data centers will make up about 2% of global electricity consumption, or 536 terawatt-hours (TWh), in 2025.
As power-intensive generative AI continues its rapid rise, the IEA Energy 2024 report predicts that by 2026, that energy consumption could double, reaching an astonishing 1,000 TWh – roughly equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of a country like Japan.
In response, many tech companies are exploring a mix of cutting-edge, energy-efficient technologies and more carbon-neutral energy sources to minimize their environmental impact and ensure a more sustainable future for data centers.
Data centers: Keeping cool when IT heats up
There’s another important factor to consider that not only impacts the sustainability and energy efficiency of data centers but also their reliability – and it’s quite a hot topic.
Data centers consume a lot of energy – for every watt of power consumed by IT equipment (such as servers, storage, and networking equipment) an equivalent amount of heat is generated. This translates into considerable thermal output, creating a significant heat management challenge.
Recognizing the importance of maintaining optimal temperatures and preventing overheating, which leads to premature equipment failure, data loss, and costly downtime, Schneider Electric have offered critical power and cooling solutions under our APC brand for many years. These solutions are designed to protect the reliability of valuable equipment inside data centers whilst also minimizing energy consumption, reducing both operational costs and environmental impact.
Enter Eliwell by Schneider Electric’s cutting-edge cooling capabilities: Enhancing efficiency and reliability of data center infrastructure
Eliwell by Schneider Electric have also been playing a pivotal role in the cooling infrastructure landscape for over 40 years.
Well known for advanced HVAC and refrigeration solutions, their HVAC control architectures based on the Modicon M171, M172, and M173 PLCs are designed to maintain optimal temperature and humidity in various settings, including data centers, retail stores, industrial process cooling applications, and pumping. They’re also renowned for their energy efficiency and reliability, making them an ideal choice for environmentally conscious, large-scale cooling applications.
When it comes to data centers specifically, these PLCs can control several kinds of cooling systems:
- Precision cooling
- Heat rejection units for air and liquid cooled servers
- Inrow/rack cooling
- Liquid cooling
- Rear door heat exchanger
- Air handling unit
Recent developments with the Modicon M172, specifically for immersion cooling, have put Eliwell by Schneider Electric firmly at the forefront of efficient heat management for data centers.
Immersion cooling for large-scale data center applications
Immersion cooling involves submerging data center equipment in a special cooling fluid to regulate the temperature. The heated liquid is circulated back to a cooling unit where the temperature is lowered, then it is recirculated back to the immersive tank, operating in a continuous cycle. This method effectively dissipates heat, ensuring optimal performance of valuable equipment, like CPUs.
Compared to traditional cooling methods such as computer room air conditioning (CRAC), immersion cooling systems are more efficient because of the superior thermal conductivity of liquids over air.
Immersion cooling technology is positioned as an excellent choice for growing IT applications such as High-Performance Computing (HPC), AI and Machine Learning (GPU and CPU), Cloud Services, and Crypto Mining and Blockchain, as it is:
- Cost-Effective: Can cut data center construction costs by up to 50% by eliminating chillers, CRACs, CRAHs and raised floors.
- Scalable: Minimize the pains of capacity planning and inaccurate forecasting by building as an operation grows.
- Resilient: Eliminates fan vibrations, dust, and moisture contamination, oxidation risks, and hot spots.
- Fast and Flexible: You can locate your data center in virtually any environment — and be up and running within three months.
- Power-Efficient: Experience 10-20% server load reduction plus an average power reduction of 50%
- Future-Proof: Cools the most powerful servers (100kW/rack with warm water)
By leveraging Eliwell’s expertise in cutting-edge cooling solutions, companies can ensure that their critical data center infrastructure remains cool, efficient, and operationally sound, whilst also being optimized for energy efficiency.
Eliwell by Schneider Electric: Experts in efficient cooling solutions
Our vast experience and knowledge, with Eliwell by Schneider Electric’s expertise and commitment to providing innovative, robust, and sustainable cooling solutions, uniquely qualifies us to support the evolving cooling needs of today’s rapidly expanding global data center infrastructure.
Schneider Electric is committed to supporting the critical infrastructure that drives our digital world, and our innovative industrial automation solutions can not only ensure the reliability and longevity of data center equipment, but they align to our broader goal of contributing to sustainable and energy-efficient global infrastructure with the lowest possible environmental impact.
Discover more about data center sustainability and efficiency:
- Read the latest white papers:
- Find out how Schneider Electric is helping to build more sustainable data centers on se.com
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