Indirect freecooling: energy-efficient technology for modern data centres
Efficient cooling is one of the most critical parameters in the design of modern data centers and technology operations. Increasing density of computing power, higher energy demands and pressure for operational efficiency are forcing companies to seek solutions that combine high reliability and low operating costs. One of the most efficient technologies is free cooling, also known as freecooling.
At SafeDX we use indirect freecooling, which allows to significantly reduce the energy consumption of cooling, ensure stable operation and at the same time minimize the ecological footprint of the data center.
What is freecooling?
Freecooling is a technology that uses infrastructure cooling naturally low outdoor temperatures. If it is cold enough outside, there is no need to activate compressor units (chillers), which are very energy intensive.
Instead, they only work to cool Fans or circulation pumps, resulting in dramatic electricity savings.
Types of freecooling
Freecooling is differentiated according to the way the outdoor air is used:
- Direct freecooling - conditioned outdoor air flows into the interior
- Indirect freecooling - outside air does not enter the interior anywhere; cooling takes place through the heat transfer medium
In the Czech Republic (and in SafeDX) it is primarily used indirect free cooling, which is more secure for data centre environments.
The principle of indirect freecooling
Indirect freecooling works with antifreeze (usually a mixture of water and glycol) that circulates between the outdoor dry cooler and the indoor heat exchanger.
How it works step by step
- Cool outdoor air cools the glycol indry cooler located outside the building.
- The cooled medium flows through the pipe tointernal fan-coil exchanger.
- In the heat exchanger, the glycol draws heat from the server room or process room.
- The heated fluid is returned to the outdoor radiator where the cycle continues.
This process is bypassed without compressors, which is the main reason for the significantly lower energy consumption.
Why indirect freecooling is ideal for data centres
Data centres run 24/7 and their operating costs are largely made up of electricity consumption. Freecooling allows you to use the natural source of cold - the outside temperature - to the maximum extent possible.
The biggest advantages of indirect freecooling:
1. Significant electricity savings
Compressor units have the highest consumption in air conditioning technology.
Freecooling:
- minimizes their operation,
- Reduces PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness),
- enables operational savings of tens of percent.
In the climatic conditions of the Czech Republic freecooling can be used most days of the year, often up to 60-80 % of time.
2. High safety and stability of operation
Indirect free cooling does not bring outside air in, so:
- there is no risk of dust contamination,
- there are no changes in humidity,
- respects strict data center standards.
This makes it the ideal technology for critical IT infrastructure.
3. Low operating costs and longer technology lifetime
Due to the lower use of compressor chillers:
- less mechanical wear,
- longer equipment life,
- reduced service costs.
4. Quiet operation and minimal ecological footprint
Indirect freecooling works only with fans and pumps, which means:
- lower noise level,
- lower energy consumption,
- lower carbon footprint.
This supports the overall sustainability of the data center and the company's ESG goals.
Where indirect freecooling is used
Although this technology is typical for data centers, its use is much broader.
Main areas of application:
- Data centres and server rooms
Ensures constant and efficient cooling of critical systems. - Air conditioning of large buildings
Office and logistics buildings use freecooling to reduce costs. - Industrial technology
Cooling of lasers, welding machines, machine tools and production lines.
Freecooling in SafeDX: Modern cooling designed for maximum efficiency
Our data centers at SafeDX are built with an emphasis on:
- high energy efficiency,
- reliability,
- environmentally friendly operation,
- future scalability.
Indirect freecooling is one of the key technologies that helps us to maintain an efficient infrastructure with low operating costs and stable operation even under high load.
Summary: Why choose indirect freecooling
Indirect free cooling is one of the most efficient ways to cool data centres.
By taking advantage of low outdoor temperatures, it offers a significant reduction in operating costs, high reliability and environmental friendliness.
Main benefits:
- up to tens of percent energy savings,
- restrictions on the operation of compressor units,
- security for IT infrastructure,
- low service costs,
- greener operation,
- Reduction of customers' operating costs.