IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v377y2025ipcs0306261924019755.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Multistage data center cooling system for temperature gradation and matching

Author

Listed:
  • Chen, Xiaoxuan
  • Wang, Xinyi
  • Wang, Lu
  • Zheng, Hong
  • Ding, Tao
  • Li, Zhen

Abstract

A prototype of a multistage cooling system with a cooling capacity of 20 kW is assembled and studied. The traditional single-stage system is split into two sub-systems according to the temperature level, which reduces the temperature difference and irreversible heat transfer loss, and further improves the system's energy efficiency. The system mainly features three modes including free-air cooling, refrigeration-based cooling and waste heat recovery, which can achieve efficient cooling while capable of recovering the waste heat to the surrounding heat users. The efficiency of the proposed cooling and heat recovery system was assessed by measuring its energy reuse effectiveness (ERE). The energy savings and environmental benefits of the system were analyzed across five cities in China, each representing different climates. Results indicate that the system achieved an ERE of 0.91 in Beijing, 38.9 % lower than the national average of the city. Additionally, an economic analysis showed a payback period of less than two years for the proposed system across all climates considered, which is 30 % shorter than that of a single-stage cooling system.

Suggested Citation

  • 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).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:377:y:2025:i:pc:s0306261924019755
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.124592
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261924019755
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.124592?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ebrahimi, Khosrow & Jones, Gerard F. & Fleischer, Amy S., 2014. "A review of data center cooling technology, operating conditions and the corresponding low-grade waste heat recovery opportunities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 622-638.
    2. Lindroos, Tomi J. & Mäki, Elina & Koponen, Kati & Hannula, Ilkka & Kiviluoma, Juha & Raitila, Jyrki, 2021. "Replacing fossil fuels with bioenergy in district heating – Comparison of technology options," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    3. 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).
    4. Tong, Zhen & Wang, Wencheng & Fang, Chunxue, 2023. "Energy-saving potential analysis of a CO2 two-phase thermosyphon loop system used in data centers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    5. Yuan, Xiaolei & Liang, Yumin & Hu, Xinyi & Xu, Yizhe & Chen, Yongbao & Kosonen, Risto, 2023. "Waste heat recoveries in data centers: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    6. Habibi Khalaj, Ali & Halgamuge, Saman K., 2017. "A Review on efficient thermal management of air- and liquid-cooled data centers: From chip to the cooling system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 1165-1188.
    7. Chen, Xiaoxuan & Wang, Xinyi & Ding, Tao & Li, Zhen, 2023. "Experimental research and energy saving analysis of an integrated data center cooling and waste heat recovery system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 352(C).
    8. Huang, Pei & Copertaro, Benedetta & Zhang, Xingxing & Shen, Jingchun & Löfgren, Isabelle & Rönnelid, Mats & Fahlen, Jan & Andersson, Dan & Svanfeldt, Mikael, 2020. "A review of data centers as prosumers in district energy systems: Renewable energy integration and waste heat reuse for district heating," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    9. Lu, Tao & Lü, Xiaoshu & Välisuo, Petri & Zhang, Qunli & Clements-Croome, Derek, 2024. "Innovative approaches for deep decarbonization of data centers and building space heating networks: Modeling and comparison of novel waste heat recovery systems for liquid cooling systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 357(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Hao, Yueting & Zhou, Haojie & Tian, Tong & Zhang, Wei & Zhou, Xin & Shen, Qingfei & Wu, Tong & Li, Ji, 2025. "Data centers waste heat recovery technologies: Review and evaluation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 384(C).
    2. Tian, Tong & Yang, Xuan & Li, Ji, 2025. "To boost waste heat harvesting and power generation through a portable heat pipe battery during high efficient electronics cooling," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PA).
    3. Hyvönen, Johannes & Mori, Taro & Saunavaara, Juha & Hiltunen, Pauli & Pärssinen, Matti & Syri, Sanna, 2024. "Potential of solar photovoltaics and waste heat utilization in cold climate data centers. Case study: Finland and northern Japan," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
    4. Li, Jian & Jurasz, Jakub & Li, Hailong & Tao, Wen-Quan & Duan, Yuanyuan & Yan, Jinyue, 2020. "A new indicator for a fair comparison on the energy performance of data centers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    5. Zhou, Feng & Tian, Xuwen & Song, Yu & Ma, Guoyuan, 2025. "Dynamic performance of an integrated heat pump system coupled free cooling and waste heat recovery in data centers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    6. Lu, Tao & Lü, Xiaoshu & Välisuo, Petri & Zhang, Qunli & Clements-Croome, Derek, 2024. "Innovative approaches for deep decarbonization of data centers and building space heating networks: Modeling and comparison of novel waste heat recovery systems for liquid cooling systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 357(C).
    7. Cheng Liu & Hang Yu, 2021. "Evaluation and Optimization of a Two-Phase Liquid-Immersion Cooling System for Data Centers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-21, March.
    8. Socci, Luca & Rocchetti, Andrea & Verzino, Antonio & Zini, Andrea & Talluri, Lorenzo, 2024. "Enhancing third-generation district heating networks with data centre waste heat recovery: analysis of a case study in Italy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    9. 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).
    10. Jerez Monsalves, Juan & Bergaentzlé, Claire & Keles, Dogan, 2023. "Impacts of flexible-cooling and waste-heat recovery from data centres on energy systems: A Danish case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).
    11. Du, Han & Zhou, Xinlei & Nord, Natasa & Carden, Yale & Ma, Zhenjun, 2023. "A new data mining strategy for performance evaluation of a shared energy recovery system integrated with data centres and district heating networks," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    12. Cristina Ramos Cáceres & Suzanna Törnroth & Mattias Vesterlund & Andreas Johansson & Marcus Sandberg, 2022. "Data-Center Farming: Exploring the Potential of Industrial Symbiosis in a Subarctic Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-23, February.
    13. Zhang, Yingbo & Li, Hangxin & Wang, Shengwei, 2024. "Life-cycle optimal design and energy benefits of centralized cooling systems for data centers concerning progressive loading," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    14. Mengting Jiang & Camilo Rindt & David M. J. Smeulders, 2022. "Optimal Planning of Future District Heating Systems—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-38, September.
    15. Ma, Yu & Bao, Yuchen & Li, Ji, 2025. "Heat transfer dependence of power usage effectiveness of an augmented two-phase immersion cooling system for high-power servers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    16. Yuan, Xiaolei & Liang, Yumin & Hu, Xinyi & Xu, Yizhe & Chen, Yongbao & Kosonen, Risto, 2023. "Waste heat recoveries in data centers: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    17. Oh, Jinwoo & Han, Ukmin & Jung, Yujun & Kang, Yong Tae & Lee, Hoseong, 2024. "Advancing waste heat potential assessment for net-zero emissions: A review of demand-based thermal energy systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    18. Zhang, Yingbo & Shan, Kui & Li, Xiuming & Li, Hangxin & Wang, Shengwei, 2023. "Research and Technologies for next-generation high-temperature data centers – State-of-the-arts and future perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    19. Wang, Xinyue & Liu, Yang & Tian, Tong & Li, Ji, 2022. "Directly air-cooled compact looped heat pipe module for high power servers with extremely low power usage effectiveness," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 319(C).
    20. Moazamigoodarzi, Hosein & Tsai, Peiying Jennifer & Pal, Souvik & Ghosh, Suvojit & Puri, Ishwar K., 2019. "Influence of cooling architecture on data center power consumption," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 525-535.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:377:y:2025:i:pc:s0306261924019755. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.