Government should be applauded for this consistent direction of travel, and it’s worth recounting the linked pieces of work that predate this latest announcement..
However, for most data centres, peak summer temperatures exceed the required supply temperature.This necessitates mechanical cooling to maintain design conditions.
The larger the temperature difference, the harder the mechanical cooling system must work.Compared to free cooling, mechanical cooling requires substantial electrical input, which ultimately contributes to more heat being rejected.This can further increase water consumption if the heat rejection plant utilises adiabatic cooling.. Reducing the mechanical cooling demand.
The obvious, although usually impractical, way would be to locate the data centre in a colder climate where the average temperature is lower, allowing for free cooling to operate for longer and reducing the mechanical cooling hours operated.This won't be practical for most data centre operators due to cost, land, power and connectivity availability.. A more practical way to reduce the mechanical cooling demand is by increasing the air/water temperature supplied to the data hall.
For example, migrating to ASHRAE A1 Allowable temperature range from ASHRAE A1 Recommended during peak external ambient conditions could reduce OPEX considerably.. ASHRAE Environmental Classes (Allowable) for Data Centres.
Hot and cold aisle separation is standard in all new data centres, however, improved air flow management and hot aisle containment (HAC) leakage reduction can have a positive improvement on air temperatures in the room.. Air Side Economisers.The new design will have internal and external spaces in which prisoners and their visitors can socialise..
The overall design allows for flexible use of spaces, meaning that facilities don’t go unused.Many spaces are designed for multiple use, so classrooms can become communal rooms, and so on.. Central ‘resource hubs’ will house education facilities, libraries, full medical facilities, a gym, barbers and faith spaces, resembling a high street of services which is both normalising and promotes independence.. Of the standard building types, the most common is the house block, which represents nearly 60% of the accommodation on each site.
Many of the innovations that came from this process are to be found in the house block:.The new prison design signals the end of ‘gallery’ prisons.