Equation-based object-oriented modeling and simulation for data center cooling: A case study

Fu, Yangyang; Zuo, Wangda; Wetter, Michael; VanGilder, Jim W.; Han, Xu; Plamondon, David

doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.01.018

Title: Equation-based object-oriented modeling and simulation for data center cooling: A case study

Journal Article · Tue Jan 22 00:00:00 EST 2019 · Energy and Buildings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.01.018· OSTI ID:1545550

Fu, Yangyang ^[1];

^[1];

^[2]; VanGilder, Jim W. ^[3]; Han, Xu ^[1]; Plamondon, David ^[4]

Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States)
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Schneider Electric, Andover, MA (United States)
Univ. of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA (United States)

© 2019 Elsevier B.V. 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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Research Organization:: Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States); Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0007688; AC02-05CH11231

OSTI ID:: 1545550

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1526586; OSTI ID: 1547836

Journal Information:: Energy and Buildings, Vol. 186, Issue C; ISSN 0378-7788

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 21 works

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Multi-stage Power Scheduling Framework for Data Center with Chilled Water Storage in Energy and Regulation Markets Fu, Yangyang; Han, Xu; Stershic, Jessica arXiv https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2007.09770	preprint	January 2020
A simple but energy-efficient HVAC control synthesis for data centers Fliess, Michel; Join, Cedric; Bekcheva, Maria 2019 International Conference on Control, Automation and Diagnosis (ICCAD) https://doi.org/10.1109/iccad46983.2019.9037900	conference	July 2019

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