Data center build activity in secondary markets has increased significantly over the past few years, primarily driven by cost and more favorable power-delivery timelines, according to a recent report by real estate management firm JLL. As builders and operators consider different cooling technologies, it’s critical to conduct an evaluation of long-term cooling needs to select the appropriate cooling method. For those considering liquid cooling, it is important to consider how each of the different technologies performs and scales in a particular location and climate zone. Likewise, it’s important to consider how each technology utilizes scarce resources such as power, water and space.
To help data center operators understand their options, we have leveraged the results of a case study – developed through our partnership with Syska-Hennessy Group and Chemours – to model Austn / San Antonio, the second highest data center build location of the secondary markets. The case study, Comparison of Server Liquid-Cooling Technologies, examines the total cost of ownership (TCO) of different liquid cooling technologies in different geographic regions. To calculate the data, a TCO tool was developed to account for how different liquid cooling technologies perform across seasonal temperature and humidity variations in different climates
An Evaluation Example: Comparing Cooling Technologies in the Austin & San Antonio
Both Austin and San Antonio experience long, hot summers; short, mild winters; and warm spring and fall transitional periods that make it a humid subtropical climate. Below is a comparison of three prominent liquid cooling technologies – single-phase direct-to-chip (DTC), single-phase immersion, and two-phase immersion – when deployed in a standardized 36MW data center footprint to create a comparison baseline using Austin and San Antonio’s climate conditions.
Direct-to-Chip Cooling (DTC)
Pros:
- Cost-Efficiency: DTC systems typically have lower initial costs, making them a feasible option for secondary markets looking to expand rapidly without extensive upfront investment.
- Space Optimization: Utilizing a compact, vertical rack-based form factor, DTC is advantageous in urban areas where real estate is at a premium, a common scenario in burgeoning secondary markets.
Cons:
- Increased Energy Use: In humid subtropical climates such as Austin and San Antonio, DTC systems have a higher Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) than other liquid cooling technologies. This leads to greater energy consumption, higher emissions, and higher operational costs due to the need for supplementary cooling units.
Single-Phase Immersion Cooling
Pros:
- Improved Energy Efficiency: Offering better PUE than DTC, Single-Phase Immersion Cooling systems can reduce long-term energy costs, a critical factor as energy prices fluctuate and environmental regulations tighten.
- High-Density Support: This technology is suitable for data-intensive applications common in technology hubs like Austin and San Antonio.
Cons:
- Higher Initial Costs: The setup for Single-Phase Immersion Cooling systems is more expensive due to the need for specialized infrastructure. These higher costs may deter smaller data centers or startups from adopting this technology.
- Maintenance Complexity: Operational complexities and maintenance of this technology requires skilled technicians, potentially increasing the total cost of ownership.
Two-Phase Immersion Cooling
Pros:
- Peak Efficiency: With the lowest PUE, Two-Phase Immersion Cooling systems offer superior energy efficiency, making them ideal for high-load environments that are common in both primary data center markets and secondary markets, such as Austin and San Antonio.
- Future-Proofing: This technology supports the highest power densities and is considered future-proof for emerging technologies like AI and blockchain, which are expected to proliferate in tech-driven markets.
Cons:
- Substantial Initial Investment: The highest setup costs among the three technologies can be a significant barrier in cost-sensitive secondary markets.
- Complex System Requirements: The intricate system design and the need for ongoing specialized maintenance may require more robust operational management.
Practical Applications and Considerations
Choosing the right data center cooling technology requires balancing several factors. These include initial costs, operational expenses, scalability, and the local climate. While advanced systems like Two-Phase Immersion Cooling offer long-term savings and efficiency, simpler systems such as Single-Phase Direct-to-Chip Cooling may be preferable in scenarios where budget and immediate scalability take priority. As Austin, San Antonio and similar secondary markets continue to grow as tech hubs to serve greater data center demand, the evolution of their data center infrastructure will likely mirror trends observed in primary markets, but adapted to their own unique requirements and opportunities.
Download the full Syska report to obtain detailed data center and cooling technology evaluations in the following markets: Ashburn, Virginia, United States (humid subtropical climate); Copenhagen, Denmark (temperate oceanic climate); Singapore (hot and damp climate); and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (extremely hot climate).
What’s the Right Choice for You?
LiquidStack can help you evaluate how different liquid cooling technologies perform in the region of your existing or planned data center. Contact LiquidStack for a custom TCO report tailored to your region to show you what you can expect from these three different liquid cooling technologies. Armed with this information, you can select the technology that will deliver the best return on your investment.
