TY - JOUR
T1 - Equation-Based object-oriented modeling and simulation for data center Cooling
T2 - A case study
AU - Fu, Yangyang
AU - Zuo, Wangda
AU - Wetter, Michael
AU - VanGilder, Jim W.
AU - Han, Xu
AU - Plamondon, David
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2019/3/1
Y1 - 2019/3/1
N2 - Data center cooling accounts for about 1% of electricity usage in the United States. Computer models are pivotal in designing and operating energy-efficient cooling systems. Compared to conventional building performance simulation programs, the equation-based object-oriented modeling language Modelica is an emerging approach that can enable fast prototyping and dynamic simulation of cooling systems. In this case study, we first modeled the cooling and control systems of an actual data center located in Massachusetts using the open-source Modelica Buildings library, and then calibrated a baseline model based on measurement data. The simulation of the baseline model identified several operation-related issues in the cooling and control systems, such as degraded cooling coils, improper dead band in control settings, and simultaneous cooling and heating in air handlers. Afterwards, we used a sequential search technique as well as an optimization scheme to investigate the energy saving potentials for different energy efficiency measures aiming to address the abovementioned issues. Simulation results show potential energy savings up to 24% by resolving identified control-related issues and optimizing the supply air temperature.
AB - Data center cooling accounts for about 1% of electricity usage in the United States. Computer models are pivotal in designing and operating energy-efficient cooling systems. Compared to conventional building performance simulation programs, the equation-based object-oriented modeling language Modelica is an emerging approach that can enable fast prototyping and dynamic simulation of cooling systems. In this case study, we first modeled the cooling and control systems of an actual data center located in Massachusetts using the open-source Modelica Buildings library, and then calibrated a baseline model based on measurement data. The simulation of the baseline model identified several operation-related issues in the cooling and control systems, such as degraded cooling coils, improper dead band in control settings, and simultaneous cooling and heating in air handlers. Afterwards, we used a sequential search technique as well as an optimization scheme to investigate the energy saving potentials for different energy efficiency measures aiming to address the abovementioned issues. Simulation results show potential energy savings up to 24% by resolving identified control-related issues and optimizing the supply air temperature.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.01.018
DO - 10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.01.018
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85060347531
SN - 0378-7788
VL - 186
SP - 108
EP - 125
JO - Energy and Buildings
JF - Energy and Buildings
ER -
