[Equest-users] Data Center Modelling and Ice Storage (2)

[Shuichi Hendrickson]

Patrick, Will, John and all







Thank you all for the quick responses to my original post.





Based on your comments, I have a couple more questions that I hope someone may have insight into.



It seems that due to the large process equipment energy usage for datacenters, others have experienced that showing significant energy reduction through HVAC alone is difficult. Following from this, for the purposes of LEED it appears that is would be best to find some strategy to minimize process loads in the model or somehow show a process load reduction.



1)  For the project I am working on, we are starting off with 3 X 600RT CWH chillers + 2 X 600RT dual mode (CHW and Ice) chillers on Day 1, but with an additional 1 x 600RT CHW + 2 X 600RT dual mode units are planned for full future design cooling capacity. Correspondingly, the Server (process equipment) will be installed in stages as well.



Does anyone know what if there are any rules as to what point in project development the model should be based on? My original plan was to model at full design capacity, but I am thinking now that it would be better to model Day 1 conditions if permissible to lower the denominator in the energy reduction calculation.



2) The client is considering using Server Virtualization technology for the IT equipment. I understand that this is a much more efficient means of operating server equipment and I am considering using this as a basis for showing process energy reduction based on a CIR I have come across (CIR 2441). The CIR was originally submitted for a remodelling project, so the process reduction would have been shown versus the originally installed equipment.



Does anyone have any thought or experience any with showing this type of process reduction for a LEED-NC project? I am imagining the baseline will be based on servers without virtualization. I don't really know enough about "Virtualization" at this stage to really quantify what energy reduction, if any, could be expected. Some long conversations with the IT designer are warranted, but would appreciate if any one has any thoughts to share.



Again, any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.



Thanks in advance,

Shuichi


Shuichi Hendrickson
Environmental Engineer, LEED AP

ERM Japan
The Landmark Tower
Yokohama 19F
2-2-1-1, Minatomirai, Nishi-ku
Yokohama, 220-8119, Japan

T:+81(0)45-640-3780<tel:%2B81%280%2945-640-3780>
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shuichi.hendrickson at erm.com<mailto:shuichi.hendrickson at erm.com>
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________________________________
From: Will Mak [mailto:wmak at epsteinglobal.com]
Sent: Friday, June 17, 2011 11:15 PM
To: Patrick Keeney; Shuichi Hendrickson
Cc: equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
Subject: RE: [Equest-users] Data Center Modelling and Ice Storage

Side note that you may want to keep in mind that's been brought up here is how you model the data center process loads. If the loads are too large, you may have a difficult time meeting the prerequisite.

William Mak, LEED AP BD+C
Mechanical Design Engineer

EPSTEIN
Architecture
Interiors
Engineering
Construction
Sustainability

600 West Fulton Street
Chicago, Illinois 60661-1259

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? Epstein is a firm believer in sustainability. We ask that you please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org [mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Patrick Keeney
Sent: Friday, June 17, 2011 9:06 AM
To: Shuichi Hendrickson
Cc: equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
Subject: Re: [Equest-users] Data Center Modelling and Ice Storage

Hi Shuichi,

Below is a link to an additional source from a previous post that helps explain how to model UFAD and/or displacement ventilation.  Their method is very similar to yours, in that you split the equipment loads between the plenum and the space.  In particular, there is a section which explains pretty clearly how to model UFAD in eQUEST.  This may be repeat info to you, but it may be able to help.

http://www.archenergy.com/ieq-k12/Public/Proj2_Deliverables/D2.9c_FinalDVDesignGuide_2006-0630.pdf


Best, Patrick



On Fri, Jun 17, 2011 at 3:07 AM, Shuichi Hendrickson <Shuichi.Hendrickson at erm.com<mailto:Shuichi.Hendrickson at erm.com>> wrote:
Hello all,


I am attempting to model a data center in eQuest for LEED. This will be a first attempt at modelling a data center for me and I am in hopes someone could provide some sage advice on the subject.


My understanding is that the data center will be a standard hot/cold aisle configuration with underfloor cooling (UFAD). The CRACs are on CHW and the CHW plant consists of multiple chillers, as well as, dedicated chillers for ice storage.

Recognizing that eQuest doesn't consider fluid air dynamics or temperature stratification resultant from UFAD, I am considering using the UFAD modelling guidance in the EDR Design Guidelines: HVAC Simulation Guidance (http://www.energydesignresources.com/resources/publications/design-guidelines/design-guidelines-hvac-simulation-guidelines.aspx)

This document addresses UFAD, but not specific to data center or hot/cold aisle. What Ive gotten out of the guidance is that for comfort UFAD applications, the upper portion of a room (non occupied ) space is defined as plenum and the internal loadings for the room are apportioned between the occupied zone and plenum. It seems to me that this method could be appropriate for hot/cold aisle scenarios as well, with the hot aisle as the plenum and cold as space. From the guidance equipments loads are suggested to be apportioned 67% space 33% plenum for comfort applications.

My understanding of hot/cold aisle configurations is that cold air is supplied on the front side of the server racks, pulled through the racks by the server internal cooling fans, and exhausted in to the hot aisle. Following from this logic it seems to me that the equip load should apportioned mostly to the plenum (hot aisle).

Does anyone have a better suggestion for load proportioning for a datacenter?  Am I over complicating this?

My next challenge is modelling the Ice storage. I have 6 chillers of which 2 are dual mode CHW and Ice making. My guess is that I will have to model the dual mode units as 4 chillers (2 for CHW and 2 for ice) because of the different efficiencies and supply temps, while somehow using to the equip controls to make sure the chillers are not operating simultaneously.

This will be another first attempt for me. If anyone knows of any useful modelling guidance docs or has any advice on this it would be highly appreciated.


Thank you in advance and regards,



Shuichi Hendrickson
Environmental Engineer, LEED AP

ERM Japan
The Landmark Tower
Yokohama 19F
2-2-1-1, Minatomirai, Nishi-ku
Yokohama, 220-8119, Japan

T:+81(0)45-640-3780<tel:%2B81%280%2945-640-3780>
F:+81(0)45-640-3781<tel:%2B81%280%2945-640-3781>
shuichi.hendrickson at erm.com<mailto:shuichi.hendrickson at erm.com>
www.erm.com<http://www.erm.com/>
Ranked No1 All-Environmental Firm: ENR Magazine (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
Environmental Adviser of the Year: Acquisitions Monthly (2005, 2006, 2008)
P Please consider the environment before printing this email


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