The NTT data center in Frankfurt has one goal:
Energy while cooling
The amount of data worldwide is increasing exponentially. As a result, the market for data centers that process and store this data is also booming. Modern data centers require powerful cooling systems due to the extreme packing density of servers with their high heat loss. Both energy supply and cooling are critical factors for the safe operation of such plants. The EU-wide requirements for greater efficiency are forcing operators to rethink: energy consumption in cooling must be drastically reduced!
NTT’s data center campus, Frankfurt 1 Data Center, is one of the largest locations for data backup, colocation services to complex IT applications and cloud solutions with 60,000 sqm of data center space. The buildings are specially built and equipped for being used as data center. The location is ideal because of the maximum security and availability of infrastructure here. Important aspects were, above all, the secure provision of energy, simple connection to data networks and protection against natural hazards. To meet high customer demand, NTT Global Data Centers EMEA GmbH operates three additional sites in the Frankfurt region alone, which can provide additional space of over 50,000 sqm.
The challenge: Design energy-efficient cooling processes
One of the biggest challenges for NTT, in addition to the continuous and secure power supply, is the enormous waste heat from the servers running around the clock 365 days a year: In addition to the redundant power supply with additional emergency generators or buffer batteries, extremely reliable and equally efficient cooling of the computer cabinets and all other critical areas is therefore necessary. On average, each kilowatt of computing power requires 0.2 to 0.5 kW of cooling power, and the necessary cooling systems are correspondingly large. To make the cooling process as safe and efficient as possible, NTT in Frankfurt relies on a cooling system for the IT equipment with a central chilled water circuit for distribution within the building. Among other things, AC Drives from Danfoss Drives are used. The sophisticated concept covers every area from cooling air flow within the server rooms to the release of thermal energy into the environment.
Safe cooling
AC drives handle pump control. Since the systems were first commissioned in 2003, they have always ensured the optimum flow rate and controlled the motor speed of the pumps using a differential pressure measurement. In this way, they permanently supply the consumers with the required amount of cold water.
The plant has both recooling units, which release waste heat or supply cooling water via the outside air, and chillers that can be switched on if the difference with the outside air is not sufficient during warm periods. The switching on takes place in stages in order to cool as energy-efficiently as possible. In the cold season, the outside air is often sufficient.
In addition to the frequency converters of the VLT series for cold and chilled water pumps, NTT in Continental Europe has been using Danfoss Turbocor exclusively as compressors in the installed chillers for about 2 years, in order to be able to benefit from the stepless speed control of the installed converter here as well. The resulting significant improvement in part-load efficiency is one of several factors that prompted NTT to take this step.
Stay up to date with the latest news:
-
Eaton - PSG and PSL power suppliesRead moreEaton is launching its next-generation PSG and PSL power supplies, specially designed to serve a wide range of industrial applications. The new PSG and PSL power supplies are flexible, reliable and economical. Thanks to their compact housing, you save valuable space in your control cabinet.
-
Festo - Save energy, increase productivityRead moreBecause pneumatics has a high power density, pneumatic components are widely used in machine lines. Smaller components are gaining popularity due to ease of use, energy savings and productivity gains.
-
Siemens - Scalable and Flexible Safety ConceptsRead moreSiemens offers a digital workflow that helps with every step of safe machine design. Through an integrated tool chain-from risk assessment and safety evaluation to hardware selection, engineering and validation-the process is streamlined and documentation efforts are minimised.
-
Schneider Electric - Modicon Edge I/O NTSRead moreModicon Edge I/O NTS, Schneider Electric’s latest IP20 distributed I/O system, is more than just an input/output system. It is designed to equip machine builders, system integrators, and industrial end-users with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly data-driven digital world. The system's ability to aggregate and securely share data enables smarter decision-making and improved operational performance. With open Ethernet protocols for connectivity with a wide variety of devices and architectures, OPC UA technology for secure communication and interoperability, and built-in hardware cybersecurity, Modicon Edge I/O NTS helps ensure connectivity, performance, availability, and enhanced network security. Furthermore, the system complies with current cybersecurity regulations, enabling end-users to safely access and fully leverage their data — boosting industrial efficiency, flexibility, sustainability, and profitability.
Check out our other success stories:
-
TR Service - Future-proof low-voltage panelRead moreTR-Service provides industrial maintenance using all disciplines, from electrical and mechanical to hydraulic and pneumatic. With support from Breemes, the company installed a large low-voltage panel. ‘After discussing my summary plan with them, I decided to just do it,’ says director-owner Raoul Tielens. At Breemes' suggestion, the panel was future-proofed by preparing it for power monitoring.
-
Peeters - Young Company, New EquipmentRead moreSince its founding a few years ago, Peeters Robotic Solutions has been rapidly developing, working on projects both domestically and internationally and providing standard solutions for industrial palletizing. The company stays up to date with the latest technology, including Festo’s electrical and pneumatic drives. To achieve this, it relies on itsme. “Thanks to their expertise and skills, we can bring innovation to the forefront for our customers.”
-
Kusters - Putting weight behind itRead moreKusters was looking for a weighing solution for its banknote devaluation machines that was easy to integrate into the Siemens control system. Through itsme, they came into contact with the right knowledge carriers at Siemens. ‘For us as Kusters, itsme is not only a supplier but also a source of knowledge, with which we co-engineer certain components and process steps, such as this weighing system.’
-
Eneco - Green light for green electricity and steamRead moreEneco Bio Golden Raand, located in the port area of Delfzijl, converts biomass into green electricity and green steam. Each year, the plant processes approximately 300,000 tons of waste wood from the Netherlands and neighboring countries. As part of Eneco’s climate ambitions, a project began in 2022 to replace the existing fluorescent lighting in and around the boiler room. The project was carried out under the supervision of itsme. “Two factors were important in this process: the cost, of course, but also the level of service.”
Why not take a look at these trainings we offer:
-
PROFINET CPNERead moreavailable in Dutch
-
PROFIBUS CPERead moreavailable in Dutch
-
WinCC-SCADA2Read moreavailable in Dutch
-
PCS7-SAFE V9Read moreavailable in Dutch