Free Cooling
Free cooling is a data center cooling method that takes advantage of local climate or geologic features to reduce reliance on mechanical refrigeration. Free cooling can take many forms, but
nSome data centers useslocated naturallyin cool climates circulate ambient cool air or water to cool equipment, saving energy and water by eliminating the facility insteadprocess of energy-intensiveconditioning mechanicalthe refrigeration,air. significantlyOther reducingdata centers located near naturally cold water features use this water for liquid cooling, saving energy consumptionby andeliminating costs.the Thisprocess approachof involveschilling circulatingthe coolwater.
For airexample, orin Marseille, France, Interxion sources water throughfrom heata exchangerstunnel that carries flowing water at a natural, consistent temperature of 15C. Although the water still requires some filtration, the facilities bypass the need for extensive cooling processes, improving its power usage effectiveness to absorb1.11 heat from the data center. There are two main types: direct free cooling, where filtered outside air is brought directly into the data center, and indirect free cooling, which uses a heat exchanger to transfer heat from insidecompared to the outsideaverage airPUE without mixing the air streams.of 1.38 for liquid cooling.