Definition
Kyoto Cooling refers to an energy-efficient, airside economization process used in data center cooling systems. It leverages outdoor air for cooling, using a heat wheel to cool hot server exhaust air before it’s expelled. The technology gets its name from the Kyoto Protocol as it aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Phonetic
The phonetic pronunciation of “Kyoto Cooling” is: “Kee-oh-toh Koo-ling”
Key Takeaways
- Kyoto Cooling refers to an energy-efficient cooling method for large IT structures such as data centers. It’s an air-side economization solution that significantly reduces the energy consumption of a data center.
- Kyoto Cooling system operates based on the principle of heat exchange, thus eliminating the need for a compressor. This enhances the system’s efficiency as well as results in greater cost savings and reduced environmental impact.
- The system ensures a balanced and consistent temperature for the hardware, thereby improving the lifespan and performance of the equipment. It also minimizes the risk of hardware failure due to overheating.
Importance
Kyoto Cooling is an important technology term because it represents an innovative and energy-efficient approach to cooling data centers. Data centers house servers and other IT equipment that generate a significant amount of heat during operation. This heat if not managed effectively could damage the equipment and lead to service disruptions.
Traditional cooling methods can be energy-intensive and costly. However, Kyoto Cooling uses a patented method of heat exchange that takes advantage of the natural properties of air to provide cooling. The system also allows for free cooling, using outside air when conditions are suitable, further reducing energy costs. Kyoto Cooling improves system reliability, reduces operational costs, and lessens the environmental impact, making it a crucial technology for sustainable and efficient data center operation.
Explanation
Kyoto Cooling refers to a robust, flexible, and energy-efficient cooling technology primarily used in data centers. The central purpose of this technology is to manage and reduce the amount of heat generated by electronic systems and servers in data centers, keeping them within optimal operating temperatures.
Given the vast amount of data processed within these centers, electronic equipment produces substantial heat that needs to be effectively dissipated. If left unchecked, this heat could degrade system performance, or in extreme cases, cause complete system failure. The use of Kyoto Cooling in data centers represents a more sustainable, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cooling methods, significantly reducing energy usage and costs.
Kyoto Cooling operates under an air-side economization principle, which makes it distinctly different and more efficient than its conventional counterparts. The technology employs a rotational heat exchanger, known as a Kyoto Wheel, which separates the inside and outside airstreams, transferring heat energy from the inside air to the outside air. This exchange process results in cooler air recirculated back into the data center while expelling the warm air outdoors.
The primary advantage of Kyoto Cooling systems is that they require less power compared to traditional computer room air conditioning units, reducing the overall energy footprint of data centers. The technology also facilitates free cooling during favorable outside temperature conditions, significantly augmenting its energy-saving capabilities.
Examples
1. Kyoto Wheel Data Center Cooling: This is a specific application of Kyoto cooling technology used in data centers. The Kyoto Wheel is a large heat exchanger that rotates between the inside and outside of a data center. Instead of using power-intensive air conditioning systems to cool the servers, the wheel uses the outside air to effectively dissipate heat, lowering the overall energy consumption of data centers.
2. Aligned Energy Data Centers: An American company, Aligned Energy, uses Kyoto cooling units in its data centers to increase energy efficiency. The cooling system allows the data center to adjust its cooling based on the heat loads of the servers, reducing unnecessary energy usage and thus reducing operational costs.
3. KyotoCooling Facility in Ohio: In an effort to create more sustainable buildings, a 10,000 square foot KyotoCooling heat transfer station was built in Ohio. The facility employs the air-to-air energy recovery principle, thus conserving energy by using outdoor air to cool the interiors rather than conventional methods.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
Q: What is Kyoto Cooling?
A: Kyoto Cooling refers to a unique and energy-efficient type of air conditioning system. It mainly uses a heat wheel for regulating the temperature in data centers. The technology was named after the city where it was developed, Kyoto, in Japan.
Q: How does Kyoto Cooling work?
A: Kyoto Cooling operates using a principle known as “counter-flow heat exchange”. It uses a rotating heat wheel to exchange heat and reject it from the system. The heat is absorbed into one half of the wheel, which is then rotated into a cooler section to expel the absorbed heat.
Q: What is the main purpose of Kyoto Cooling?
A: The main objective of Kyoto Cooling is to provide efficient and cost-effective cooling for data centers, reducing their operational costs and environmental impact.
Q: What makes Kyoto Cooling a preferable solution for data centers?
A: Data centers prefer Kyoto Cooling due to its energy efficiency, minimal water usage, improved overall system reliability, and lower maintenance needs. The system’s unique ability to cool without the use of chillers is a major advantage.
Q: Is Kyoto Cooling environmentally friendly?
A: Yes, Kyoto Cooling is considered eco-friendly. It is highly energy-efficient, making use of outside air for cooling, which minimizes electricity consumption. Furthermore, it utilizes less water compared to traditional cooling methods.
Q: How does Kyoto Cooling contribute to cost savings?
A: Kyoto Cooling leads to cost savings through reducing energy consumption. Its innovative design reduces the need for mechanical cooling and the associated energy costs. In addition, it also minimizes maintenance costs due to fewer moving parts in the system.
Q: Can Kyoto Cooling be used in any climate?
A: Yes, Kyoto Cooling is designed to work efficiently in all types of climates. Whether in hot, cold, humid, or dry conditions, Kyoto Cooling can adapt and provide effective cooling solutions by leveraging the exterior air conditions.
Q: What is the role of a heat wheel in Kyoto Cooling?
A: The heat wheel is a crucial component of Kyoto Cooling. As it rotates, it absorbs excess heat from inside the building, then transports and expels this heat outside the building, effectively maintaining the desired indoors temperature.
Q: How does Kyoto Cooling ensure the purity of incoming air?
A: Kyoto Cooling systems feature air filtration capabilities that remove impurities and particles from incoming air. This ensures that only clean and cool air enters the data center.
Q: Are there specific maintenance requirements for Kyoto Cooling systems?
A: While Kyoto Cooling systems require less maintenance due to their fewer moving parts and overall design, regular checks and cleaning should be conducted to ensure optimum performance. This includes filter checks, heat wheel inspection, and general system integrity checks.
Related Tech Terms
- Data Center Cooling
- Energy Efficiency
- Adiabatic Cooling
- Heat Exchange System
- Eco-friendly Cooling Solutions
