Equation-based object-oriented modeling and simulation for data center cooling: A case study
Abstract
© 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.
- Authors:
-
[1];
[2];
- 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)
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States); Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies Office
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1545550
- Alternate Identifier(s):
- OSTI ID: 1526586; OSTI ID: 1547836
- Grant/Contract Number:
- EE0007688; AC02-05CH11231
- Resource Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- Energy and Buildings
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 186; Journal Issue: C; Journal ID: ISSN 0378-7788
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; Equation-Based; Object-Oriented; Modelica; Data Center
Citation Formats
Fu, Yangyang, Zuo, Wangda, Wetter, Michael, VanGilder, Jim W., Han, Xu, and Plamondon, David. Equation-based object-oriented modeling and simulation for data center cooling: A case study. United States: N. p., 2019.
Web. doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.01.018.
Fu, Yangyang, Zuo, Wangda, Wetter, Michael, VanGilder, Jim W., Han, Xu, & Plamondon, David. Equation-based object-oriented modeling and simulation for data center cooling: A case study. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.01.018
Fu, Yangyang, Zuo, Wangda, Wetter, Michael, VanGilder, Jim W., Han, Xu, and Plamondon, David. Tue .
"Equation-based object-oriented modeling and simulation for data center cooling: A case study". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.01.018. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1545550.
@article{osti_1545550,
title = {Equation-based object-oriented modeling and simulation for data center cooling: A case study},
author = {Fu, Yangyang and Zuo, Wangda and Wetter, Michael and VanGilder, Jim W. and Han, Xu and Plamondon, David},
abstractNote = {© 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.},
doi = {10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.01.018},
journal = {Energy and Buildings},
number = C,
volume = 186,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 22 00:00:00 EST 2019},
month = {Tue Jan 22 00:00:00 EST 2019}
}
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Works referencing / citing this record:
Multi-stage Power Scheduling Framework for Data Center with Chilled Water Storage in Energy and Regulation Markets
preprint, January 2020
- Fu, Yangyang; Han, Xu; Stershic, Jessica
- arXiv
A simple but energy-efficient HVAC control synthesis for data centers
conference, July 2019
- Fliess, Michel; Join, Cedric; Bekcheva, Maria
- 2019 International Conference on Control, Automation and Diagnosis (ICCAD)