With the arrival of the 5G era and the introduction of the concept of industrial internet, the internet has entered a stage of rapid development, and the demand for the internet from various industries is gradually increasing. While meeting such a large demand, ensuring the normal operation of the network is particularly important, which puts forward higher requirements for the operating environment of network equipment and data information security. How to ensure the safe and stable operation of data centers has become one of the hot topics in the industry.

As a leading global data operator, Equinix has eight data centers and server rooms exceeding 35000 meters in Amsterdam ²。 Due to the development of the Internet of Things (IoT), streaming media, and big data, the usage of the Internet is growing exponentially, and the operational pressure on its data centers is also increasing. But its senior IBX equipment engineer Etienne Boeracker is not worried about this.

01

 

6000m ² Stable operation of the computer room

Located 6000m south of Amsterdam ² In the computer room, 135 Danfoss frequency converters with power specifications ranging from 1kW to 45kW are ensuring the stable operation of their system.

Everything must be just right: temperature, humidity, quality of power supply voltage, network. All of this ensures 100% continuous operation of the equipment. All servers operate with the support of UPS, which is powered by huge batteries that ensure that emergency power devices are turned on without the customer's awareness in case of a power outage. After all, if a company's server malfunctions, it can indeed affect the core of the company. Therefore, everything is dual, and if any component fails, the other component will take over. This also applies to the air conditioning system of the computer room. Each UPS, pump, and fan has built-in redundancy. This means that even if the main power supply is cut off, the data center can continue to operate normally using emergency power devices.

02

 

Energy saving and heat removal

The client servers in this computer room use approximately 7.2MW of electricity. All of this energy will eventually be converted into heat. Therefore, air conditioning is crucial in server rooms. To ensure the long service life of sensitive digital devices, it is necessary to remove heat as much as possible. Because of this, there are at least six cooling towers on the roof of the computer room. These cooling towers can even continue to operate under extreme conditions.

The cooling system of the computer room is also powered by underground aquifer energy storage (ATES), rather than mechanical cooling. ATES is an innovative thermal energy technology that stores cold energy in winter and provides cooling during hot summers.

The outdoor device used for cooling tower regulation includes two VLTs ®  The HVAC Drive FC 102 frequency converter adopts an IP55 chassis with built-in circuit breaker.
 

03

 

Fast investment return

The principle of sustainable operation ensures that data centers utilize electricity as efficiently as possible, which is crucial for maintaining competitiveness. Therefore, an important parameter or KPI is power usage efficiency (PUE). It represents the ratio between the total power consumption of customer devices and the total capacity of the site. The most modern factory currently has a PUE of 1.2. Through careful design and a good control system, a lot of costs can be saved.

We will use Danfoss AC frequency converters for all pumps and ventilators. Usually, the investment in Danfoss frequency converters can be recovered within a few months. These frequency converters not only save a lot of energy from the motor due to a decrease in speed, but also ensure that the pump achieves the highest hydraulic efficiency possible. By running the pump in the correct curve, the service life of the pump can be extended.

——Etienne Boeracker
 

04

 

IE4Motor compatibility

Boeracker firmly believes that there is still room for improvement in energy efficiency.

We are still considering using IE4 motors for the new factory we are currently planning. Fortunately, Danfoss frequency converters are fully prepared for this and can be compatible with all typical motor technologies. In this way, we can choose the best performance combination with the pump supplier.

 

05

 

Reliable equipment and high-quality service

 

To achieve overall reliability, Boeracker believes that equipment quality has always been important, but availability, quality of services provided, and relationships with suppliers also play an important role.

Our standard is VLT equipped with IP55 chassis ®  HVAC Drive FC 102. Our technical team has received good training at Danfoss, so we can use these frequency converters very well.

VLT ®  The Motion Control Tool MCT 10 communication software is another valuable tool that we often use. We have found that its Automatic Motor Adjustment (AMA) function provides us with faster debugging speed while also ensuring the optimal energy-saving combination of the engine and frequency converter. In addition, if unexpected situations occur, Danfoss can always help us quickly and efficiently solve problems.

 

06

 

Remote monitoring and analysis

The AC frequency converter communicates with high-level building control systems through Modbus. Each frequency converter generates a large amount of information and loads it into the CMS (Cooling Management System), enabling the equipment to remotely monitor and analyze operating conditions in order to make correct decisions. If a malfunction occurs outside of working hours, it is also possible to promptly inspect the problem and see where the problem needs to be addressed.

 

07

 

Preventive maintenance

Only by regularly carrying out preventive maintenance according to strict plans can equipment of this scale operate reliably. This can minimize unexpected failures and related corrective maintenance. The information provided by the frequency converter is of great help in arranging preventive maintenance.
 

In the field of data centers, Danfoss has a relatively mature solution that not only helps customers create green data centers, but also promotes efficient connection between the energy systems of data centers and other surrounding facilities, further promoting green and sustainable development. In the future, Danfoss will continue to deepen its efforts and provide more solutions for the development of the industry by combining innovative technologies, and use high-quality services to help industry customers enhance their core competitiveness.