Summer in the northern hemisphere just started, but already
devastating heatwaves have washed over much of the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Europe and Asia.
Widespread wildfires in Canada have triggered air quality alerts across that country and much of
the eastern half of the U.S. Similar extreme heat events across Asia have caused widespread
power outages, and Europe continues to break heat records as the fastest-warming continent.
The data centre cooling experts at Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global provider of critical digital
infrastructure and continuity solutions, today issued updated guidance for managing the extreme
heat.
Climate change has made the past eight years the hottest on record, but with an El Niño
weather pattern compounding the issue this year, many forecasts anticipate record-breaking
temperatures in 2023. The sizzling outdoor temperatures and their aftermath create significant
challenges for data centre operators who already wage a daily battle with the heat produced
within their facilities. There are steps organizations can take to mitigate the risks associated with
extreme heat. These include:
1. Clean or change air filters: The eerie orange haze that engulfed New York City was a
powerful visual representation of one of the most immediate and severe impacts of
climate change. For data centre operators, it should serve as a reminder to clean or
change air filters in their data centre thermal management systems and HVAC systems.
Those filters help to protect sensitive electronics from particulates in the air, including
smoke from faraway wildfires.
2. Accelerate planned maintenance and service: Extreme heat and poor air quality tax
more than data centre infrastructure systems. Electricity providers often struggle to meet
the surge in demand that comes with higher temperatures, and outages are common.
Such events are not the time to learn about problems with an uninterruptible power
supply (UPS) system or cooling unit. Cleaning condenser coils and maintaining
refrigerant charge levels are examples of proactive maintenance that can help to prevent
unexpected failures.
3. Activate available efficiency tools: Many modern UPS systems are equipped with high-
efficiency eco-modes that can reduce the amount of power the system draws from the
grid. Heatwaves like those we’ve seen recently push the grid to its limits, meaning any
reductions in demand can be the difference between uninterrupted service and a
devastating outage
4. Leverage alternative energy sources: Not all data centers have access to viable
alternative energy, but those that do should leverage off-grid power sources. These
could include on- or off-site solar arrays or other alternate sources, such as off-site wind
farms and lithium-ion batteries, to enable peak shifting or shaving. Use of generators is
discouraged during heat waves unless an outage occurs. Diesel generators produce
more greenhouse gas and emissions associated with climate change than backup
options that use alternative energy. In fact, organizations should postpone planned
generator testing when temperatures are spiking.
“These heatwaves are becoming more common and more extreme, placing intense pressure on
utility providers and data centre operators globally,” said John Niemann, senior vice president
for the global thermal management business for Vertiv. “Organizations must match that intensity
with their response, proactively preparing for the associated strain not just on their own power
and cooling systems, but on the grid as well. Prioritizing preventive maintenance service and
collaborating with electricity providers to manage demand can help reduce the likelihood of any
sort of heat-related equipment failure.”
“Again this year, parts of Europe are experiencing record-setting heat, and in our business we
specifically see the impact on data centres. Prioritizing thermal redundancy and partnering with
a service provider with widespread local presence and first-class restoration capabilities can
make the difference in data centre availability,” said Flora Cavinato, global service portfolio
director. “Swift response times and proactive maintenance programs can help organizations to
sustain their business operations while effectively optimizing their critical infrastructure.
.”The recommendations issued today supplement previous guidance from Vertiv, which included:
– Run as many cooling units as possible to reduce the load on each individual unit, and
save energy through teamwork controls
– Consider different types of cooling systems, including liquid cooling, closed-loop chilled
water cooling, and evaporative free cooling systems, all of which are designed for high-
temperature environments.
– Use predictive modelling for thermal impacts rather than historic data. As extreme heat
events increase in frequency, historic metrics often fall short of capturing modern risks.
