ASHRAE TC9.9 Research Priorities – Summary from 21 Jan 2008 Meeting

At the 2008 Winter meeting, TC 9.9 developed a consensus research plan to enable evaluation of proposed research topics whether they are solicited or non-solicited.  This plan is designed to align with ASHRAE’s Research Strategic Plan but also to compliment ASHRAE’s Datacom series of guidebooks, which were a response to industry needs for data center cooling.  Many cooling issues require a more thorough and detailed analysis, thus the purpose of our research plan.  When considering sponsorship of any research topic the committee will refer to this plan to ensure that TC9.9’s research goals are met.  Items highlighted in bold red are the TC’s consensus highest priority items. For more information, please email TC 9.9 Research Subcommittee Chairperson, Robin Steinbrecher at robin.steinbrecher@intel.com.

Energy consumption effects driven by the thermal guidelines (Humidity and inlet temp.)

• expansion of the thermal guidelines – energy consumption impact
• reliability impact of expanding the RH/room temp – recommended and allowed

1. Cooling proof of concepts

• Adaptation of data centers for multi-mode cooling – liquid, air, multiphase
• Removing barriers to liquid cooling
• Rating methods, free cooling techniques, metrics for comparison
• Optimal cooling implementations for ITE equipment based on power saving
• RAS impacts of various cooling implementations at data center level
• Optimal integration of data center cooling with ITE cooling

2. Uniformity/specification in real-time data reporting between ITE and data center management

• Metrics – (true) inlet air temperature, flow rate, total heat load, etc.
• Standardized protocols for data reporting
• Power saving modes for ITE and integration with data center management
• Optimization of data center cooling parameters for power-saving ITE operation – flow and inlet temperatures, workload 
• Algorithms for managing varying ITE demand 

3. Airflow Management

• Practical achievements for fan to server flow ratios 
• Influences of aisle containment
• Blank-off plates and containment of cable penetrations 
• Selection of floor diffusers 

4. Integration of telecom equipment within a data center

• Considerations for side-to-side-cooled ITE  
• Mixed front-to-back/top and side-to-side equipment  

5. Matching of ΔT’s between ITE and cooling equipment in common configurations

• Avoiding hot spots when shutting off cooling units

6. Ride-through when losing a chiller – guidelines and sizing for typical configurations

7.  Guideline for floor diffusers for cold aisles

   • Placement of cold aisle diffusers and optimization using adjustable diffusers