Hansgrohe SE, one of the leading manufacturers of bathroom fittings, commissioned the Service Business Unit of the Data Center Group - the specialist for operating and servicing professional data centers - to analyze the existing air conditioning system at the Aue data center. The aim of the rough analysis was to evaluate the energy efficiency, the fault and operation switching, the future operation in terms of the F-Gas regulation, but also the spare parts supply for the future of the entire air conditioning system of the data center.
During the analysis, problems were identified in the area of fault switching and relaying of the fault message of the air conditioning system. The critical spare parts supply of the air conditioning components and the relatively poor EER (energy efficiency ratio) were also recorded. In addition, it was found that the extinguishing agent tanks are only stocked and that the spare parts situation for the smoke aspiration system is critical.
After the presentation of the results, Data Center Services was commissioned to work out two different climate concepts for the data center. Based on these results, the replacement of the extinguishing system and the RAS (smoke aspiration system) was recommended in addition to the actual climate concept. At the request of the IT department, a second alarm and monitoring system was also to be installed as a redundant system to the existing building control system. The complete conversion had to be carried out during ongoing operations.
The air-conditioning concept A comprised the complete dismantling of the outdated three recirculation split air-conditioning units, the installation of two modern recirculation air-conditioning units with EC fans, electric injection and speed-controlled compressors. In addition, special high-performance condensers of energy efficiency class A+ were selected. The use of R 410A refrigerant also ensures compliance with the F-Gas Regulation until 2030. After this date, the system will continue to be grandfathered.
Air-conditioning concept B provided for the installation of two recirculating air-conditioning units with free-cooling function with completely new chilled water piping. In addition, two recoolers of energy efficiency class A+ and high-efficiency pumps were planned. A cold aisle lake enclosure, replacement of the extinguishing system including smoke aspiration system and a monitoring system specifically for the IT department were also provided.
After the presentation of the two climate concepts including energy efficiency forecast, Hansgrohe SE decided in favor of climate version A and commissioned the complete execution during ongoing operation of the data center, including the provision of a mobile air conditioning system.
The complete project was completed as requested and on schedule in February 2017. The use of the modern recirculating air air conditioning units with high-performance condensers, the installation of a cold aisle lake and the optimum adjustment to the existing load in the data center enabled the energy consumption of the air conditioning technology to be reduced by approx. 25 %. In addition, both air-conditioning units are visualized via web interface. Fault and operating messages can also be recorded via SNMP messages.
Thanks to the smooth implementation of the conversion at the Aue data center and the positive experience of the IT department with the monitoring system, the monitoring system has now also been commissioned for the West data center.
Picture: © gmstockstudio / #407315559 / stock.adobe.com (standard licence)
