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Real-time optimization of the liquid-cooled data center based on cold plates under different ambient temperatures and thermal loads

Author

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  • Qu, Shengli
  • Duan, Kaiwen
  • Guo, Yuxiang
  • Feng, Yiwei
  • Wang, Chuang
  • Xing, Ziwen

Abstract

With the advent of the information age, the scale of data centers has developed unprecedentedly, in which the cooling system consumes a lot of energy. Therefore, it is crucial to adjust the operating parameters in real-time to maximize energy savings. In this article, the mathematical models of each component are established, and the functions of system power consumption and chip temperatures are obtained for the liquid-cooled data center based on cold plates. The method proposed in this article has good accuracy through experimental verification and can be used for the optimization of operating parameters. The server chips in data centers need to be maintained within a safe range, so we take the minimum system power consumption as the optimization goal and the chip temperature as the constraint condition to calculate the optimal cooling tower wind volume, primary side flow rate, and secondary side flow rate under different environmental temperatures and heat loads, and fit all three for real-time optimization and regulation. The results show that the intelligent control proposed in this article can save 42.7% energy and reduce PUE to 1.16 under variable heat load, and save 30.6% energy and improve PUE by 4.3% under variable environmental temperature. The intelligent control method described in this article provides guidance for real-time optimization in data centers.

Suggested Citation

  • Qu, Shengli & Duan, Kaiwen & Guo, Yuxiang & Feng, Yiwei & Wang, Chuang & Xing, Ziwen, 2024. "Real-time optimization of the liquid-cooled data center based on cold plates under different ambient temperatures and thermal loads," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 363(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:363:y:2024:i:c:s0306261924004847
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.123101
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Chen, Xiaoxuan & Wang, Xinyi & Wang, Lu & Zheng, Hong & Ding, Tao & Li, Zhen, 2025. "Multistage data center cooling system for temperature gradation and matching," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PC).
    2. Yan, Meiyue & Guo, Shuai & Hong, Ruochen & Qiao, Lin & Lee, Poh Seng, 2026. "Enhancing data centre energy efficiency and reliability through hybrid cooling: A topology-optimized integrated cold plate approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 342(C).
    3. Huang, Yongping & Liu, Chendong & Zhong, Yangfan & Zhang, Chengbin, 2025. "Experimental study on jet-enhanced immersion liquid cooling for energy-efficient data centers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).
    4. Lei Su & Wenxiang Wu & Wanli Feng & Junda Qin & Yuqi Ao, 2024. "Collaborative Planning of Distribution Network, Data Centres and Renewable Energy in the Power Distribution IoT via Interval Optimization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-26, July.
    5. Feng, Yiwei & Li, Yanpeng & Qu, Shengli & Liu, Yishuang & Wang, Chuang & Han, Yaoxiang & Xing, Ziwen, 2025. "Proactive operational strategy of thermal energy storage tank in an industrial multi-chiller system based on chilled water flow difference between supply and demand sides," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 319(C).
    6. Kong, Rui & Zhang, Hainan & Tang, Mingsheng & Zou, Huiming & Tian, Changqing & Ding, Tao, 2024. "Enhancing data center cooling efficiency and ability: A comprehensive review of direct liquid cooling technologies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 308(C).
    7. Qu, Shengli & Guo, Yuxiang & Feng, Yiwei & Wang, Chuang & Xing, Ziwen & Duan, Kaiwen, 2025. "Robust optimal control method based on constrained neural network for liquid-cooled data centers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 333(C).
    8. Zhang, Yingbo & Tang, Hong & Li, Hangxin & Wang, Shengwei, 2025. "Integration and interaction of next-generation AI-focused data centers with smart grids and district energy systems: The state-of-the-art, opportunities and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    9. Gheni, Mashhur & Kerskes, Henner & Stergiaropoulos, Konstantinos, 2026. "Operational analysis of the cooling system in a direct liquid-cooled data center: a measurement and simulation study on the impact of supply water temperature," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 403(PA).
    10. Zou, Sikai & Zhang, Quan & Li, Junshan & Ma, Xiaoteng, 2026. "Performance of a hybrid cold plate system with waste heat recovery in data center," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 342(C).
    11. Fan, Wei & Fan, Ying & Liu, Pengju & Wang, Yue & Tong, Fan & Yi, Bowen & Yao, Xing, 2025. "Distributionally robust optimization scheduling model for electric power and computing power coordination considering spatiotemporal response," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 402(PA).

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