The University of Glamorgan

Type of works: supply of 2 EcoCooling CREC units for university data centre.

The University of Glamorgan has been awarded a first for its environmental policies in the ‘Green League’ of universities. It is the first UK University to be awarded the ISO 14001 accreditation.

Reflecting their strong environmental policy, the University sought the lowest carbon and environmental impact cooling solution for their new
30kW data centre. They also required the security of N+1 redundancy.

Two EcoCooling CREC units with associated flow and exhaust ductwork were installed. Evaporative cooling provides compliant temperature air avoiding the use of refrigeration completely. The low-energy air distribution system utilises efficient, variable speed extract fans. This system uses less than 10% of the energy of a comparable refrigeration based Computer Room Air Conditioner (CRAC).

The EcoCooling CREC system uses a patented attemperation system to control the delivery air temperature. A damper allows mixing of the hot exhaust air with the external air to achieve compliant conditions. An EcoCooling CREC PLC provides system control of temperature and pressure and links to fire and smoke systems. Because the energy usage is so low, so is the carbon output making the EcoCooling CREC system a truly Green system.

Projected savings compared to a traditional CRAC system are £13,000 and 88 tonnes of carbon per annum.