Covering Disruptive Technology Powering Business in The Digital Age

Written by: Khairul Haqeem, Journalist, AOPG.

Few discoveries have received as much attention as precision cooling in the huge spectrum of disruptive technologies. As the relentless march of data centres continues, cooling these hotbeds of digital activity becomes an increasingly critical challenge. To dive deep into this chilly realm, we sat down with Nathan Blom, the CCO at Iceotope, a company at the forefront of precision liquid cooling technology. Armed with a heart full of curiosity, I embarked on a quest to uncover the secrets and potential of precision cooling in the ever-burgeoning Asian market.

A Market on the Verge of Frosty Fortunes

Precision cooling is a type of cooling system designed specifically for data centres. It uses a variety of methods to remove heat from the equipment in data centres, including air, chilled water, and refrigerants. Precision cooling systems are more complex and require greater attention to maintenance than traditional cooling systems, but they offer a number of advantages, including:

• Improved efficiency: Precision cooling systems are more efficient than traditional cooling systems, which can save money on energy costs.
• Increased reliability: Precision cooling systems are less likely to fail than traditional cooling systems, which can help to protect the data centre from downtime.
• Better performance: Precision cooling systems can provide more precise temperature and humidity control than traditional cooling systems, which can help to improve the performance of the data centre equipment.

The first question that befell Nathan’s eager ears was none other than an inquiry about the current market size for precision cooling in Asia. Nathan described precision liquid cooling as the frosty disruptor of the data centre cooling realm. Reports suggest that the global data centre liquid cooling market will thaw into a colossal USD $3.42 billion this year, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 26.2%.

To the delight of enthusiasts, the Asian market is poised to become the fastest-growing region in the coming years. Nathan attributes this ascent to the rising adoption of advanced technologies such as 5G, IoT, big data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and digitalisation. These technological marvels demand the coolest cooling solutions. This is where precision cooling comes in.

Cool Tech, Cooler Efficiency

Nathan highlighted the crucial role that AI, machine-learning, and high-performance computing play in driving the need for advanced cooling solutions. These technologies, with their insatiable hunger for processing power, push the boundaries of cooling technology itself. Conventional air-cooling methods simply can’t keep up with the demands of high-density server loads, which is where precision liquid cooling shines.

Iceotope’s Precision Liquid Cooling technology for instance takes a precise approach to cooling every component of the IT stack, regardless of their placement within the chassis. Nathan proudly revealed that this innovative solution not only maximises system performance but also reduces energy consumption by a remarkable 40% and water consumption by a staggering 90%. It’s an efficiency and sustainability win-win for data centres across the region.

However, implementing precision cooling in different parts of Asia comes with its own set of challenges. Nathan emphasised the unique cooling hurdles faced by various data centre markets. In Singapore, for example, the year-round heat and high humidity levels pose a particularly daunting obstacle. The demand for computing power in Singapore, a hub of international finance, coupled with space constraints, forces data centres to operate at higher densities, exacerbating energy consumption issues.

Conquering Challenges, One Cold Drop at a Time

To combat these heat-induced headaches, Precision Liquid Cooling steps onto the scene, reducing energy consumption and maximising higher density compute in space-saving environments. By precisely cooling, protecting, and monitoring the entire IT stack, Iceotope’s solution ensures peak performance without throttling or degradation. The total cost of ownership for data centre providers is dramatically decreased, allowing for a more sustainable and scalable approach.

As emerging technologies like precision cooling and direct-to-chip cooling make their mark on the Asian data centre landscape, Nathan offered a nuanced perspective on their viability and impact. While direct-to-chip cooling provides exceptional cooling performance at the chip level, it still relies on air cooling, presenting its own limitations. On the other hand, tank immersion solutions require a complete overhaul of data centre design which could prove to be a heavy toll on resources.

Nathan proposes striking a balance by removing heat generated by electronic components, significantly reducing energy consumption, and minimising the need for water usage—all while fitting seamlessly into existing infrastructure which is what Iceotope’s Precision Liquid Cooling technology is doing today.

And another issue raised for the conversation was the high energy consumption of precision cooling systems which contributes significantly to the carbon footprint of data centres.

Nathan firmly remarked that “Let’s take the evolution of the light bulb as an analogy. The original incandescent light bulb was inefficient and wasted a lot of energy. The CFL bulbs that flooded the market to address these issues ended up creating a host of new problems and challenges”.

Just as LED bulbs massively reduce electricity consumption while maintaining a familiar form factor, precision cooling systems are designed to significantly cut energy consumption without disrupting the established data centre infrastructure.

How About the ESG Goals?

“There is immense pressure on all types of businesses to meet their ESG goals,” Nathan concluded. The increasing demand for precision cooling systems in Asia reflects the growing reliance on data centres across industries with government regulations adding further impetus.

As businesses grapple with the need to reduce their carbon footprint and improve their ESG performance, precision cooling systems offer a tangible pathway forward. The partnership between technology and environmental responsibility enables data centres to meet the demands of the current climate challenges.

Ultimately, precision cooling provides the efficiency, scalability, and serviceability that data centre operators need, all within a familiar form factor.

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