{"id":36037,"date":"2019-11-04T09:54:17","date_gmt":"2019-11-04T09:54:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/2019\/11\/04\/swiss-technology-institute-creates-efficiencies-with-vertiv-solutions\/"},"modified":"2019-12-05T11:56:44","modified_gmt":"2019-12-05T11:56:44","slug":"swiss-technology-institute-creates-efficiencies-with-vertiv-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/2019\/11\/04\/swiss-technology-institute-creates-efficiencies-with-vertiv-solutions\/","title":{"rendered":"Swiss technology institute creates efficiencies with Vertiv solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The \u00c9cole polytechnique f\u00e9d\u00e9rale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland has improved its power usage effectiveness, achieved space savings and has seen a reduction of CAPEX and OPEX, after working with Vertiv. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u00c9cole polytechnique f\u00e9d\u00e9rale de Lausanne (EPFL) is \u2013 in\naddition to the many traditional universities and universities of applied\nsciences controlled by the cantons \u2013 one of the two Federal Institutes of\nTechnology in Switzerland and is headquartered in Lausanne. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since its foundation in 1969, it has become one of the\nbest-known institutions for science and technology in Europe. Like its sister\ninstitute in Zurich, the \u2018ETHZ\u2019, it has three main goals: education, research\nand technology transfer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 14,000 lecturers, researchers and students work,\nteach and conduct research on the main campus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Background<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To ensure the many different innovative and future-oriented\nprojects being carried out by researchers and students are supported with the\nappropriate IT equipment, the EPFL has IT and building infrastructure teams\nmade up of around 200 employees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aristide Boisseau, Head of the Datacenter Operations team,\nplays a particularly important role. Together with his team, he acts as the\ninterface between the two domains, ensuring a regular exchange of information\nand smooth processes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

High-performance computers are predominantly used at the\nEPFL to provide the capacity required for scientific calculations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the EPFL\u2019s budget for new high-performance computers\nhas remained the same over recent years, providers have nevertheless increased\nthe capacity of their products in the data centre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the power density per square meter has risen\nand the existing ventilation-cooling systems have not been able to keep pace\nwith this growth. A new, intelligent solution capable of adequately cooling the\neight-point grid systems was therefore required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges and objectives   <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Increasing data and computation capacities\nrequire higher power density of high-performance computers, greater energy\nefficiency and cooling solutions that occupy less space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The EPFL\u2019s image is one of a university that educates the\nbrightest minds of the future, enabling them to produce creative approaches to\nmany current challenges, in areas such as mobility, urban planning, technology\nand science etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students not only acquire new knowledge but also manage\ntheir own projects together with the professors. Measurements, evaluations and\nfindings \u2013 all of this data has to be stored, processed and retained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applications, programs and databases enrich and simplify\nthe work of students and professors but at the same time means greater\ncomplexity for IT. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upshot is a massive amount of data which lays the\nfoundation for new discoveries. The EPFL operates its own data centres to meet\nthe growing requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The server capacity of the two existing data centres has\nbeen increasingly expanded over recent years which eventually placed too much\nstrain on the cooling solutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2011, the EPFL decided to build another data centre to\nkeep pace with the increasing volumes of data. Boisseau began to look for a new\ncooling solution for the two existing data centres, one of which is used for\nthe processing and storage of data and the other as back-up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He had previously relied on a circulation cooling system.\nWater from Lake Geneva was used to cool down the air which in turn cooled the\nracks. However, this old solution only produced eight to ten kW per rack\nwhereas 30 kW per rack was required for high-performance computers. This\nunwieldy system also took up too much space at the data centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boisseau contacted the experts at Vertiv \u2013 which was called\nKn\u00fcrr at the time \u2013 about the new racks to be integrated into the new data\ncentre. The cooling options were also discussed. It soon became apparent that\nVertiv\u2019s racks could provide a space-saving cooling solution with the cooling\noutput required. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The concept:<\/strong> Water cooling of\nthe racks with the Kn\u00fcrr DCD air-water cooling doors from Vertiv<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boisseau initially thought that two different solutions\nwould be needed to meet the individual power density requirements in the racks.\nThis is because, in addition to the high-performance computers, the EPFL uses\nracks where output amounts to a maximum of 10 kW. The initial plan was to use\nthe CoolTherm solution for high density (up to 30kW) and hot-air containment\nfor lower needs (up to 10kW). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After consulting with Vertiv\u2019s experts in depth, it was\ndecided that the Kn\u00fcrr DCD Water Cooled Rack Doors from Vertiv were the best\ncooling solution for all the racks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The air-water cooling door from Vertiv is an air-water heat\nexchanger integrated in the rear door of the server rack. The cold water is\nused in a closed heat exchanger system directly behind the servers in the rear\ndoor of the rack. All the heat of the integrated IT equipment is dissipated via\nthe water circuit which feeds the rack door with cold water and carries away\nwarmer water. The cooling effect occurs when the warm outgoing air flows\nthrough the heat exchanger in the rear section of the server cabinet. The\ncooling air flow is driven solely by the server fans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional fans in the cooling door are not required.\nBoisseau initially decided to purchase three Liebert Smart Rack PDUs MPX from\nVertiv and to test the DCD air-water cooling doors in a two-month trial period.\nThe result of the proof-of-concept was clear: with 20 to 25 kW per rack, the\nnew solution had still not exceeded the power limit. Another benefit was the\nhuge space saving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The price was also unbeatable which meant the decision was\nquickly made and the new data centre was equipped with just under 30 racks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The results: Higher performance densities for\nthe servers, cost reductions, space saving and greater energy efficiency <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The water cooling solution has also resulted in a lower\nrisk of failure, greater system reliability and fewer error sources than with a\nsolution based purely on air cooling. This type of cooling also reduces energy\nconsumption through electrical loss and the cooling process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The optimised heat exchanger structure and short air paths\nwithout diversions also mean there is no need for additional fans in the\ncooling unit. Cooling via the DCD air-water cooling door achieves power usage\neffectiveness (PUE) values of 1.06. The same pipes are used for the new water\ncooling system as those previously deployed for the transport of water from\nLeman Lake, thus reducing investment costs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the water is used directly in the DCD air-water cooling\nrear door rack exchanger, the EPFL used 30% to 50% less space compared to\nconventional air cooling systems despite integrating more servers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, up to 90 DCD Cooling Doors carry out the\ncooling of the 300 m2 data centre. The temperature is regulated\nvia thermostatic valves which control the water flow in the heat exchanger\ndepending on the current load in the rack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means the water volume can be adjusted to the power\ndensity in the racks and vice-versa \u2013 the DCD Cooling Doors can be deployed as\nthe sole cooling solution in the entire data center regardless of the various\nperformance densities in the racks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen it comes to cooling servers and racks with different\npower densities or high-performance servers, Vertiv\u2019s water cooling solution\nwith the DCD air-water cooling doors is an outstanding solution,\u201d said Aristide\nBoisseau Data Center Architect and Operations at the EPFL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt stands out due to its low PUE\nvalues, higher energy efficiency, lower costs and easy installation compared to\nconventional air-cooling systems. If the volumes of data to be processed\nand power densities at data centers increase, data centre managers should\ndefinitely consider this innovative and future-oriented method of cooling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2015, Mr Boisseau realised that the capacity of the new\ndata centre commissioned in 2012 was running short. One of the older data\ncentres also had to be completely upgraded to meet the increasing requirements.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He therefore began planning a new data centre which is set\nto be put into operation by 2021 at the latest and to upgrade the old data\ncentre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In accordance with WTO guidelines, the EPFL as a\ngovernment-run university has to put out a new invitation to tender for the\nconstruction of the new data centre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vertiv will take part in the tender process with its\ninnovative and application-oriented water cooling solutions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The \u00c9cole polytechnique f\u00e9d\u00e9rale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland has improved its power usage effectiveness, achieved space savings and has seen a reduction of CAPEX and OPEX, after working with Vertiv. The \u00c9cole polytechnique f\u00e9d\u00e9rale de Lausanne (EPFL) is \u2013 in addition to the many traditional universities and universities of applied sciences controlled by the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":36038,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[205,55,93],"tags":[14011,14012,14013,13383,1586],"class_list":["post-36037","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-case-studies","category-data-centres","category-top-stories","tag-aristide-boisseau","tag-ecole-polytechnique-federale-de-lausanne-epfl","tag-head-of-the-datacenter-operations","tag-lausanne","tag-switzerland"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36037","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36037"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36037\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36038"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36037"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36037"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36037"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}