Summary:
- Upgrading data center air-cooling methods with immersion fluids can significantly reduce energy use and operating costs.
- Shell Lubricants has been working with Intel to certify immersion cooling fluids, which are shown to be as reliable as traditional air-cooled systems.
- Immersion cooling fluids can cut the floor space needed for a data center by up to 80%, contributing to more sustainable and energy-efficient solutions.
Article:
Revolutionizing Data Center Cooling with Immersion Fluids
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Shell Lubricants and Intel have been at the forefront of transforming data center cooling methods. Global Executive Vice President of Shell Lubricants, Jason Wong, highlighted the immense benefits of upgrading existing air-cooling systems with immersion fluids. Not only can this innovative approach reduce energy consumption by up to 48%, but it can also lead to significant cost savings of up to 33%.
After two years of partnership, Shell and Intel have successfully certified immersion cooling fluids that have the potential to revolutionize the way data centers are cooled. Extensive testing conducted by Intel has shown that Intel Xeon processors remain just as reliable with Shell’s immersion cooling fluids as they are with traditional air-cooled systems.
Immersion cooling involves submerging servers and networking equipment in electrically non-conductive fluid, which efficiently absorbs and dissipates heat from IT equipment. This method is over one thousand times more effective than traditional air-cooling systems. With the elimination of coolers, chillers, fans, and evaporative cooling systems, immersion cooling fluids can reduce the floor space required for a data center by up to 80%.
The Future of Energy-Efficient Data Centers
According to the International Energy Agency, the energy consumption of data centers currently contributes to 1.5% of global electricity demand, a figure that is expected to double by 2030. This growth is largely driven by the increasing demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI). Conventional cooling systems typically account for 30-40% of a data center’s energy demand, making the adoption of immersion cooling fluids a crucial step towards sustainability.
Shell’s commitment to developing innovative products extends beyond lubricants for cars to include solutions for battery storage systems and data centers. By investing in sustainable technologies like immersion cooling fluids, Shell aims to help customers meet their emission reduction goals while driving sales of premium, high-value products.
With the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption, operating costs, and floor space requirements, the adoption of immersion cooling fluids represents a major advancement in the quest for energy-efficient data centers. Partnering with industry leaders like Intel, Shell is paving the way for the next generation of high-performance, environmentally conscious computing.
