Data Centers at Risk from Rising Heatwaves, Vertiv Warns

Here are the strategies operators need to understand to mitigate potential harm #Vertiv

This summer, Filipinos are grappling with severe heatwaves, with no less than 36 major areas, including Metro Manila, confronting perilous heat indexes that range from 42 degrees Celsius to over 50 degrees Celsius. The most extreme heat index recorded to date, a blistering 53 degrees Celsius in Iba-Zambales on April 28, has hit the “extreme danger level.”

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) cautions that these elevated heat indexes are expected to continue in the forthcoming weeks, due to the diminishing El Niño. The heat index signifies the perceived temperature to the human body when relative humidity is factored in with the air temperature.

Data centers are especially susceptible to these extreme heat indexes. Pamela Albar, Sales Director, Vertiv Philippines, states that managing severe temperature surges is crucial for data center operators. “Maintaining vigilance in overseeing facilities is essential to uphold reliability and connectivity. Neglecting to tackle these challenges can have grave consequences for operations,” Albar noted.

To help data center operators maintain their facilities’ coolness and safeguard their operations from extreme temperature surges during the summer, Vertiv suggests the following measures:

• Regularly Clean or Replace Air Filters: Data center operators should routinely clean or replace air filters in their data center Thermal Management and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems. These filters aid in shielding delicate electronics from airborne particulates, including smoke.

• Fast-track Planned Maintenance and Service: Intense heat and subpar air quality can put a strain on not just data center infrastructure systems but also electricity providers. To avert unforeseen failures, operators should fast-track planned maintenance and service. This encompasses cleaning condenser coils and preserving refrigerant charge levels.

• Utilize Available Efficiency Tools: Contemporary Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems frequently come fitted with high-efficiency eco-modes that can lessen the amount of power drawn from the grid. During heatwaves, reducing demand on the grid can help avert outages.

• Employ Alternative Energy Sources: Data centers with access to feasible alternative energy sources should contemplate using them. This could comprise on- or off-site solar arrays, wind farms, or lithium-ion batteries for peak shifting or shaving. It’s crucial to note that the use of generators during heatwaves is discouraged due to the higher greenhouse gas emissions they generate compared to alternative energy sources.

These four vital steps are among the most effective ways to help avert the damage that can be inflicted by heatwaves. For Vertiv, their solutions can assist operators in managing their data centers, particularly with their immersion, water-free, and evaporative free cooling systems designed to deliver reliability and efficiency in high-temperature environments. Vertiv also offers state-of-the-art, sustainable, and innovative solutions that enhance the performance and scalability of data centers, communication networks, and other critical IT facilities.

To discover more about how Vertiv supports the continuity of today’s essential business, visit Vertiv.com.

FAQs

1. What is the impact of heatwaves on data centers? Heatwaves can cause extreme temperature spikes that data centers are particularly vulnerable to. These can strain data center infrastructure systems and electricity providers, potentially leading to unexpected failures.

2. How can data center operators protect their facilities from heatwaves? Operators can take measures such as regularly cleaning or changing air filters, accelerating planned maintenance and service, activating available efficiency tools, and leveraging alternative energy sources.

3. What solutions does Vertiv offer to manage data centers in high-temperature environments? Vertiv provides solutions such as immersion, water-free, and evaporative free cooling systems designed to deliver reliability and efficiency in high-temperature environments. They also offer cutting-edge, sustainable, and innovative solutions that improve the performance and scalability of data centers, communication networks, and other critical IT facilities.