04 February 2025
Bas Jacobs, Data Center Marketing Manager, Legrand
As the global spotlight on sustainability grows, data centres are increasingly scrutinised for their energy consumption and environmental impact. For data centre operators, adopting infrastructure best practices is no longer optional — it's essential. Rising energy costs and evolving regulations emphasize the need for innovative strategies to minimize energy usage and reduce carbon footprints.
Addressing energy efficiency challenges in data centres
The explosive growth of data driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT) has significantly amplified workloads and energy demands in data centers. Often referred to as the ‘digital factories’ of the modern era, these facilities are at the heart of technological innovation but face mounting pressure to address their environmental impact amid growing concerns about sustainability.
In Europe, the updated EU Energy Efficiency Directive, effective from 2024, mandates stringent reporting requirements for data centers with a capacity exceeding 500 kW. Operators are required to submit annual reports detailing energy consumption, Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), temperature set points, renewable energy adoption, and water usage. The directive aims to drive an additional 11.7% reduction in energy consumption by 2030. Additionally, compliance with standards like EN50600 and ISO/IEC 22237 remains critical to meet design, construction, and operational efficiency benchmarks. These evolving regulations highlight the urgent need for energy-efficient solutions in data centres.
The role of airflow management
Effective airflow management plays a pivotal role in improving data centre energy efficiency. Poor airflow can lead to common issues such as bypass airflow — where conditioned air fails to pass through IT equipment — and recirculation airflow, where hot air re-enters the cooling system, creating hotspots. Both scenarios waste energy and compromise the performance of IT equipment.
To combat these inefficiencies, preventing the mixing of hot and cold air at the cabinet level is critical. Below are six actionable strategies to enhance airflow management and optimise energy use.
Six essential airflow management measures
1. Cabinet airflow packages
Investing in advanced cabinet airflow packages can significantly improve energy efficiency. These solutions are designed to create an airtight seal between the equipment rails and the cabinet exterior, preventing air leakage. Recent advancements in this area have demonstrated performance increases of up to 91%.
2. Blanking plates
Installing blanking plates in open rack spaces within IT cabinets is a straightforward yet highly effective strategy. By eliminating open gaps, blanking plates prevent airflow leakage and ensure that conditioned air is directed to where it's needed most.
3. Cable entry seal for roof layouts
Airtight cable entry systems are essential to maintaining airflow integrity. These solutions seal cable openings in the cabinet roof, preventing hot air from leaking into cold aisles. This simple upgrade can greatly improve overall cooling efficiency.
4. Plinths for raised/levelled cabinets
Gaps between raised cabinets and the data centre floor are a common source of recirculation airflow. Installing air-sealing plinths addresses this issue, ensuring that conditioned air is effectively channelled through the IT equipment.
5. Airflow package cable entry seal
As part of a comprehensive airflow management package, cable entry seals in the side skirts of cabinets enhance airtightness while accommodating cable throughput. This solution ensures that conditioned air is directed precisely where it's required.
6. Sealing strips for adjacent cabinets
When cabinets are bayed together, gaps between them can lead to air leakage. Specialized sealing strips fill these gaps, minimizing airflow loss and improving cooling efficiency.
Quantifying the impact
Implementing these measures yields significant benefits, including reduced energy costs, improved system reliability, and enhanced environmental sustainability. By maintaining consistent cold aisle temperatures and optimizing return air temperatures, data centres can maximize the efficiency of their cooling systems. These strategies are effective for both new builds and retrofit projects, helping operators to meet industry standards and regulatory requirements.
The path to sustainability
In today’s landscape, sustainability isn’t just about compliance — it’s a strategic advantage. By adopting advanced airflow management practices, data centres can reduce operational costs, improve reliability, and actively contribute to global sustainability goals.
