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How Can Computational Fluid Dynamics Help Save Data Centre Cooling Costs?

By Blog, News, Thought Leadership

Did you know that Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations have been proven to improve cooling efficiency by up to 20% and reduce energy consumption by up to 30%?

These statistics highlight the immense potential of CFD in optimising data centre operations. In fact, according to a recent survey conducted by the Society of Computational Fluid Dynamics (SCD), a staggering 70% of organizations recognize the undeniable impact of CFD simulations in gaining a competitive advantage.

Data centres are essential for all organisations, but they can also be costly to operate. One of the biggest expenses for data centres is cooling, which can account for up to 40% of the total energy usage. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a powerful tool that can help data centre operators improve efficiency and performance by optimizing cooling systems.

What is Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)?

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a powerful simulation technique that utilizes mathematical algorithms and computer modelling to study and analyse fluid flow, heat transfer and other related issues that may impact efficiency.

For data centres in particular, CFD enables operators to visualise and understand the complex airflow patterns, temperature distribution and thermal behaviour within the facility.

By accurately modelling these factors, Keysource can help data centre operators make data-driven decisions to optimise cooling strategies, reduce energy efficiency and enhance overall operational performance.

Why should data centre operators be interested in CFD?

Enhanced Thermal Management
Effective cooling is critical for maintaining optimal operating conditions in data centres. CFD allows operators to precisely model and simulate the airflow and temperature distribution throughout the facility, identifying hotspots, areas of recirculation and potential airflow obstructions.

By gaining a comprehensive understanding of the thermal behavior, operators can optimise cooling systems, implement targeted airflow management strategies and reduce the risk of equipment overheating or failure.

Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings
Data centres consume significant amounts of energy and efficient cooling is a major contributor to operational costs. By leveraging CFD, operators can optimise airflow patterns, identify opportunities for air containment and reduce unnecessary energy consumption.

Studies have shown that implementing CFD-driven optimizations can lead to energy savings of up to 30%, resulting in substantial cost reductions and improved sustainability.

Predictive Analysis and Risk Mitigation
CFD enables data centre operators to conduct virtual “what-if” scenarios, evaluating the impact of potential changes or additions to the facility.

By simulating the effects of equipment upgrades, layout modifications, or changes in operational conditions, operators can proactively assess risks, identify potential bottlenecks and ensure optimal performance before implementing any physical changes. This predictive analysis approach minimizes costly trial-and-error processes and facilitates informed decision-making.

Optimal Equipment Placement and Capacity Planning
When expanding or designing a new data centre, CFD can play a crucial role in optimizing equipment placement and airflow management. By simulating various configurations and scenarios, operators can determine the most efficient layout, identify potential hotspots and ensure proper cooling to maximize the capacity and reliability of the infrastructure.

Contact us today

If you are interested in learning more about how our computational fluid dynamic scans can help you improve efficiency and performance, contact Keysource today. We can help you assess your needs and develop a CFD solution that is right for you and your organisation.

 

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29 June 2023

Behind the Scenes at Glastonbury: The Critical Role of Data Centres

By Blog, News, Thought Leadership

Glastonbury, the renowned music festival that captivates audiences worldwide, is not just about the artists on stage. Behind the scenes, there’s a hidden world of technology and infrastructure that ensures the seamless streaming and broadcasting of this iconic event. At Keysource, we’re proud to play a crucial role in supporting our client, Timeline Television, as they bring the magic of Glastonbury to screens everywhere. Let’s take a closer look at the partnership between Keysource and Timeline Television and the essential role of data centres in the world of critical infrastructure and entertainment.

Powering the Broadcast Revolution

Timeline Television, a leading UK television broadcasting company, relies on a cutting-edge data centre located at Ealing Broadcast Centre (EBC) to deliver world-class post-production services, broadcasting facilities, and systems integration to the international TV market. Keysource has been entrusted with the critical facilities management contract, ensuring the flawless operation of this vital infrastructure.

Data Centres: The Unsung Heroes

Data centres serve as the backbone of the modern digital world, supporting a wide range of industries and services. At Glastonbury, where millions of fans eagerly await their favourite performances, a robust network of data centres and critical infrastructure is essential for smooth streaming, online ticketing, and overall event management. Keysource’s collaboration with Timeline Television brings these hidden worlds into the limelight, showcasing the pivotal role data centres play in delivering unforgettable experiences to viewers.

Reliability and Resilience

The EBC data centre, developed in 2021 through an ambitious transformation project, was converted from an 800-rack facility into state-of-the-art studios and a 60-rack data centre. With up to 3MW of capacity, this facility boasts cutting-edge power and cooling infrastructure, ensuring reliable operations even in the most demanding broadcast scenarios. For Timeline TV, who provides broadcasting facilities for key events like the football World Cup, political debates, and corporate conferences, uptime and resilience are critical.

Keysource’s Proactive Approach

Keysource’s mission is to achieve optimum performance and prevent any unplanned downtime at the EBC data centre as Luke Brimelow, Operations Manager at Keysource, explains:

“Due to the criticality of this facility where any unplanned downtime could result in TV programs going off air, our aim is to achieve optimum performance. By identifying and managing issues that affect all aspects of the facility before they become critical, this joined-up approach to fault finding and resolution maximizes critical availability, efficiency, and resilience.”

The Price of Disruption

The importance of uninterrupted broadcasting was underscored by a major incident in September 2021 when a fire suppression system triggered at Red Bee Media’s London broadcast centre, resulting in widespread disruptions and many TV channels going off air. The incident highlighted the criticality of reliable power and cooling infrastructure and the importance of proactive maintenance and support, both of which Keysource provides to Timeline Television.

As you immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Glastonbury, take a moment to appreciate the behind-the-scenes efforts powered by organisations like Keysource and Timeline Television. From delivering high-definition broadcasts to seamless streaming experiences, this collaboration ensures that viewers around the world can enjoy the magic of live events without interruptions.

Keysource remains committed to supporting critical infrastructures, such as data centres, that make moments like Glastonbury possible, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Timeline Television in shaping the future of entertainment.

Take Action Now and Secure Your

Data Centre's Resilience

Stay tuned for more updates and behind-the-scenes insights from Keysource, as we continue to provide cutting-edge solutions for data centre design, energy efficiency, and infrastructure management.

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19 June 2023

Protect Your Data Centre From the Summer Heatwave

By Blog, Thought Leadership

The summer is fast approaching, and with it data centre operators face significant challenges in maintaining the cooling systems that keep their infrastructure running smoothly. Previous year’s heatwaves revealed vulnerabilities, resulting in service level agreement breaches and costly outages. With the Met Office predicting another hot summer this year, it’s crucial to take immediate action with Keysource to safeguard your data centre and ensure uninterrupted operations.

Your Crucial Defence Against Thermal Runaway

Our strategic partnership with EkkoSense offers a powerful solution to identify and mitigate thermal issues before they compromise your data centre’s performance. Data indicates that thermal problems contribute to almost one-third of data centre outages. By leveraging EkkoSense’s platform, you gain the ability to proactively protect your critical infrastructure, providing peace of mind during the upcoming sweltering months.

Deploy in Weeks – Don’t Wait for the Heatwave to Strike

The time for action is now. Our streamlined deployment process allows for a swift integration into your data centre within weeks. Seamlessly integrating with your existing Building Management System (BMS) or Data Centre Infrastructure Management (DCIM) tools, our solution empowers you to take a proactive stance against thermal challenges, ensuring your data centre remains resilient.

Slash Cooling Energy Consumption, Costs and Carbon Footprint

At Keysource, we are committed to driving sustainability and cost savings in the data centre industry. Through our partnership with EkkoSense, we can help you identify areas where cooling improvements can be made, significantly reducing energy consumption and costs. By embracing our solution, you optimize cooling efficiency while making a positive impact on your carbon footprint and fulfilling your environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments.

Immediate Impact with Rapid ROI

We understand the importance of delivering tangible results quickly. By working with Keysource, you can expect a typical return on investment in less than 12 months. Within a couple of weeks, EkkoSense’s platform generates actionable recommendations for cooling improvements, enabling you to take swift corrective measures and bring your operations within SLA compliance.

 

Take Action Now and Secure Your

Data Centre's Resilience

Don’t let the summer heatwave catch you off guard. Act now to fortify your data centre against thermal runaway and potential outages. Contact our team today via the link below to discover how we can revolutionize your cooling management strategy and ensure uninterrupted operations throughout the summer ahead.

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5 June 2023

Common data centre industry fails

By Blog, News, Thought LeadershipNo Comments

A good testing and commissioning procedure is as critical as a good design for a data centre facility and yet there is far less emphasis on its importance. As a result, many organisations are facing major risks for their infrastructure in that it will simply not achieve the performance, resilience and efficiency that it was designed for.

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22 July 2022
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