09Apr
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The Benefits of Immersion Cooling for Colocation Providers

On: April 9, 2024 Comments: 0
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Colocation data centers are feeling the heat, quite literally. Every large company that provides an online service or product relies on data centers to house their servers and IT infrastructure. They store and process millions of gigabytes of data, which heats up the equipment.

It may surprise you to learn that cooling colocation data centers requires as much electricity as running the actual servers. And as the demand for computing power skyrockets, these data centers will need to invest even more to keep their processors from heating up.

That’s where immersion cooling can help. This involves submerging IT hardware directly into a non-conductive liquid coolant, such as mineral oil or dielectric fluid. It’s much more energy-efficient and can cut down your costs significantly.

Let’s look at six reasons immersion cooling is a game-changer for colocation providers.

Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings

The demand for immersion cooling for colocation data centers is growing rapidly. Its market is projected to grow by $1.6 billion by 2030 for a very big reason: it slashes energy consumption drastically. Air cooling units can account for up to 40% of operational costs.

To put it in perspective, some estimates suggest that for every watt of electricity consumed by IT equipment in a data center, an almost equal wattage is required for cooling purposes.

colocation

Immersion cooling can address this significant energy consumption. Liquid-based cooling solutions absorb heat faster than air coolers. They also allow for targeted cooling, which is nearly impossible to achieve with air cooling systems.

There might be some upfront costs to get everything set up, but the return on investment (ROI) is worth it. In fact, immersion cooling can reduce energy consumption by up to 50%. You’ll have lower energy bills, reduced maintenance costs, and even potential tax incentives for going green.

Scalability and Flexibility

Growing businesses can easily expand server capacity with immersion cooling. Traditional air-based cooling systems might struggle to keep up with increased heat loads, but immersion cooling is quite flexible. Just add the new servers into the cooling liquid, and you’re good to go.

Colocation data centers can also mix and match different hardware configurations without worrying about cooling constraints. With immersion cooling, you have the freedom to customize your setup however you like. You can accommodate everything from high-density compute nodes to storage servers with ease.

What’s more, immersion cooling doesn’t rely on bulky air conditioning units or complex airflow ducts. So, you’re free to rearrange your racks and optimize your space as you see fit.

Reliability and Performance

When your clients count on you to keep their mission-critical applications up and running 24/7, there’s no room for mistakes or mishaps. Whether they’re running eCommerce websites, streaming services, or financial transactions, any downtime can be costly. Today, users expect lightning-fast speeds and seamless experiences. Anything less just won’t cut it.

Colocation centers need a rock-solid infrastructure that can guarantee reliable performance. That’s another benefit of immersion cooling.

It keeps operating temperatures optimal and ensures your hardware is running at peak performance levels. Traditional air-based cooling methods can struggle to keep up with fluctuating heat loads. But immersion cooling provides consistent cooling across all your servers, even during peak demand.

It also extends the lifespan of your hardware by minimizing thermal stress that can cause premature hardware failures.

Space Optimization

Massive air cooling units can take up valuable floor space. Plus, air-based systems require extensive ductwork for airflow management, which can be a logistical challenge. But immersion cooling tanks reduce the occupied space by two-thirds.

GRC cooling system in a colocation data center

These tanks can be installed anywhere with a reliable power source. The coolant in the tank is non-reactive and makes direct contact with the server components. This process dissipates heat efficiently and quickly.

Not only does immersion cooling require less space, but it also allows for a denser rack structure. Air-cooled units need plenty of room for airflow within servers. This isn’t an issue with immersion tanks. You can insert multiple server components in the tank to keep them cool.

Environmental Considerations

Traditional air-based cooling methods consume a lot of electricity. Immersion cooling, on the other hand, is green and can reduce your carbon emissions. It has a closed-loop system that recirculates the cooling liquid without waste.

This isn’t just good for the planet; it’s also good for business. As more and more companies prioritize sustainability, having an environment-friendly colocation provider can be a major selling point. Additionally, with tightening environmental regulations around the world, investing in green technology like immersion cooling is a smart move for the long term.

Security and Compliance

Security and compliance are non-negotiable for data centers. Clients trust you with sensitive information, such as financial records and customer information. Any breach could spell disaster.

Immersion cooling reduces the risk of physical breaches and unauthorized access to your servers. And because the cooling liquid is non-conductive and non-flammable, you can trust your hardware is safe from accidents and mishaps.

Immersion cooling also ensures your systems are up and running 24/7 to meet the stringent uptime requirements laid out in service-level agreements (SLAs). There are also fewer moving parts, which simplifies maintenance procedures. Overall, it’s easier to stay on top of your security and compliance obligations.

Invest in Colocation Immersion Cooling

Immersion cooling offers a myriad of benefits, making it a true game-changer for colocation data centers. It’s scalable, energy efficient, and aligns perfectly with the evolving needs of customers.

With this innovative technology, you can unlock new opportunities for growth, attract environmentally conscious clients, and future-proof your operations against rising energy costs. It’s an investment your customers, your bottom line, and the planet will appreciate.

For over a decade, Green Revolution Cooling (GRC) has been setting new standards for data center cooling and efficiency worldwide. We provide patented cooling technology that’s cost-effective, future-proof, scalable, agile, resilient, and efficient.

Are you ready to scale your data center to newer heights? Contact the GRC team today to learn more about we can help you meet your cooling needs.