Singapore launches-new standards for data centers, which are designed to optimize energy efficiency in tropical climates and are the first of their kind anywhere in the world.
The new standard announced by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) aims to help DCs develop a roadmap to support the gradual increase in the DC operating temperatures to 26°C and above.
This could lead to DCs potentially benefiting from a 2% to 5% cooling energy savings, with every 1°C increase in the DC operating temperature.
The climate in Southeast Asia varies depending on the specific region and time of year. Generally, the region has a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year especially in April in which, in some places, afternoon temperatures can reach 40°C (104°F).
Generally, the countries in Southeast Asia that have the highest average temperatures are Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. In these countries, temperatures can often exceed 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) year-round, with the hottest months typically being April and May.
In some areas, such as Thailand’s northeastern region, temperatures can even exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) during the hottest months. With this climate, there can be possible risk for data center cooling.
Data centers typically run their equipment at temperatures of 22 degrees Celsius or below. However, this can pose a significant challenge in warmer, tropical climates where cooling systems can account for up to 40% of total energy usage.
In line with this, according to Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Communications and Information, the new standard will support the growth of compute capacity while ensuring environmental sustainability.
Moreover, it will also help operators determine the best operating temperature to optimize energy efficiency, whilst safeguarding operational reliability.