In new data center designs, capacity provisioning for ever-higher power densities puts into question whether conventional room-conditioning systems can manage future information technology (IT) loads. Within existing data centers, computing capacity typically increases over time as it requirements increase resulting in increased power and cooling requirements. Data center operators are challenged to provide adequate support infrastructure that is provisioned, or adapts accordingly, to achieve future it mission requirements while minimizing energy use. To examine modular cooling solutions, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) in partnership with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group organized a comparison demonstration which became known as “Chill-Off 2.”
Author(s): Bell, Geoffrey C.