How data center cooling systems operate today

 

As digital infrastructure continues to expand, more servers are processing vast amounts of information within data centers. This growth brings a critical thermodynamic challenge: heat generation.

To ensure optimal system performance, this heat must be effectively dissipated. Cooling processes now represent approximately 40% of total energy consumption in these facilities.

In response, data center operators must adopt energy-efficient solutions that reduce both power waste and operational costs.

On this matter, Eduardo Carvalho, Managing Director of Equinix Latin America, shares:

”For us, investing in liquid cooling technologies and the resources required for their deployment has been essential to maintaining our leadership and innovation in the data center industry. We firmly believe that energy efficiency, resource conservation, and sustainability must be core priorities for every business.”

Efficient Cooling Solutions.

A wide variety of cooling systems are available to meet the specific needs of different data centers. Among the most common are:

1. Traditional Air Cooling.

This method uses fans to circulate cold air over hardware components, keeping server temperatures within safe operating ranges.

It functions similarly to residential air conditioning systems and is widely used due to its simplicity and reliability.

2. Liquid Cooling.

Liquid cooling systems employ a refrigerant fluid to dissipate heat more effectively than air-based alternatives.

This allows data centers to increase computing capacity within the same physical space while reducing energy consumption from fan-based systems.

Although not yet universally adopted, liquid cooling is rapidly gaining popularity.

Equinix, for instance, has introduced custom-built solutions like direct-to-chip cooling. These systems are designed for high-density hardware and support the shift toward next-generation digital infrastructure.

3. Facility Cooling.

Beyond server-level cooling, data centers also rely on systems that remove heat from the entire facility.

Two main approaches are used: air-based cooling, which expels warm air, and evaporative cooling, which releases water vapor.

Evaporative systems are more energy-efficient but can significantly increase water consumption, making them less suitable for areas with limited water availability.

To address this, many operators balance energy efficiency with responsible water use—often turning to non-potable water to reduce environmental impact.

Advancements in Cooling Techniques.

4. Heat Exchangers.

Heat exchangers play a vital role in transferring heat from the server room to the facility’s larger cooling system.

Common solutions include Computer Room Air Conditioners (CRAC), Computer Room Air Handlers (CRAH), and Coolant Distribution Units (CDU).

5. Heat Export.

This approach captures residual heat from data centers and redirects it to external heating networks, following circular economy principles.

When the heat comes from facilities powered by 100% renewable energy—such as Equinix’s 235+ IBX data centers—it serves as a low-carbon thermal energy source for homes and businesses.

6. Free Cooling.

Free cooling reduces data center temperatures without relying on additional energy consumption.

It leverages naturally cool external air or cold water sources to maintain optimal operating conditions.

In suitable climates, operators may use ambient air or Deep Lake Water Cooling (DLWC) systems, which draw cold water from deep within a nearby lake and return it afterward.

This improves energy efficiency without increasing water usage.

According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), enterprise-class data center equipment should operate within a temperature range of 18°C to 27°C.

The industry average typically sits around 22.22°C, a midpoint that balances performance and energy use.

Even minor thermostat adjustments in data centers can yield significant improvements in energy efficiency—supporting sustainability goals and reducing the environmental footprint of global tech infrastructure.