Data Center Geothermal Cooling to Reduce Energy Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large information technology centers face significant challenges in dissipating heat generated by electronic devices, requiring substantial infrastructure and energy input for cooling systems, often exceeding the energy needed to operate the IT equipment itself.
Innovation Solution
A geothermal cooling system utilizing a geothermal field with pipes to absorb and dissipate heat, employing chillers during off-peak hours, air-to-water fluid coolers, and heat dissipation through parking lots to maintain the geothermal field's temperature and enhance cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional electrically driven chillers are used to cool the data center, then the cooling capacity is sufficient, but the energy consumption and cost are excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a geothermal field as an intermediary heat sink between the data center cooling system and the environment. Water circulated through pipes in the geothermal field absorbs heat from the data center, transferring it to the earth's thermal mass. This mediator approach eliminates the need for high-energy electrical chillers while maintaining reliable cooling capacity, reducing energy consumption by over 90% compared to conventional systems.
2Productivity
If the geothermal field absorbs thermal energy continuously, then cooling is provided, but the geothermal field temperature rises and cooling effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by operating chillers during off-peak hours to cool the geothermal field when electrical rates are lower and cooling demand is reduced. This periodic cooling maintains the geothermal field's temperature within an effective range, ensuring sustained cooling productivity without continuous high energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers cooling capacity by utilizing the geothermal field's natural temperature fluctuations and ambient conditions. During periods when cooling demand is low or ambient temperatures are favorable, the system allows the geothermal field to naturally cool, recovering its heat sink capacity for future use during peak demand periods.
3Reliability
If chillers are operated during peak electrical operating periods, then cooling demand is met, but energy costs are maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-cooling the geothermal field during off-peak hours when electrical rates are lower and cooling demand is reduced. This advance preparation stores cooling capacity in the geothermal field's thermal mass, which can then be utilized during peak demand periods without operating expensive chillers, thereby reducing energy costs while maintaining cooling availability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The geothermal cooling system significantly reduces energy and cost requirements for cooling IT facilities by leveraging the thermal mass of the earth, achieving efficient heat dissipation with less energy and infrastructure compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a geothermal field having a plurality of geothermal pipes through which a cooling liquid, such as water can flow to cool and heat the water through the transfer of geothermal energy between the pipe system and the adjacent ground
Implementation Method 2
The thermal cooling capacity of the thermal mass of a geothermal field can provide the cooling energy necessary to serve the IT or other production facility
Data Source
AI summary
A geothermal system is disclosed for cooling a plurality of computer processing devices which includes a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with a plurality of computer processing devices, wherein the first heat exchanger includes a heat absorbing fluid structured to receive heat from the plurality of computer processing devices. The geothermal system further includes a chiller in selective flow communication with the first heat exchanger, wherein the chiller is structured to selectively receive at least a portion of the heat absorbing fluid. The geothermal system further includes a geothermal field structured to exchange heat in the heat absorbing fluid with a geological heat sink.