Activate Radiative Cooling Technology for Data Center Cooling and Energy Efficiency Analysis

WANG Lu, LI Haibin, LIU Hong, CHEN Xiaoxuan, CHEN Liang, LI Zhen

热科学学报 ›› 2025, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (3) : 1129-1147.

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热科学学报 ›› 2025, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (3) : 1129-1147. DOI: 10.1007/s11630-025-2146-x  CSTR: 32141.14.JTS-025-2146-x

Activate Radiative Cooling Technology for Data Center Cooling and Energy Efficiency Analysis

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Activate Radiative Cooling Technology for Data Center Cooling and Energy Efficiency Analysis

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摘要

随着数据中心的快速发展,能源消耗显著增加,其中冷却系统约占总能耗的 40%。最大限度利用自然冷源为提升能效提供了一种简单而有效的途径。辐射制冷(RC)作为一种新兴解决方案,虽然能显著降低能耗,但其在数据中心的应用面临挑战——由于其冷却系统结构复杂、层级众多,辐射制冷技术在不同尺度上需要精细适配,这限制了其在数据中心的广泛推广。本研究针对数据中心冷却需求,设计了多种辐射冷却器结构以提升系统运行效率,并提出了一种集成该冷却器的辐射冷却系统,系统性地评估其节能性能。对实际应用于冷却器表面的辐射制冷薄膜进行了实验测试,获取其冷却性能参数,并将其应用于冷却器结构的仿真分析中。共设计并优化了五种辐射冷却器结构,并开展了全面的多层级性能评估,涵盖流量、温度等运行参数,以及地理位置、气候条件与区域适应性等外部因素的影响。在此基础上,提出了一种将辐射冷却器集成于数据中心的复合冷却系统。在中国不同气候区域的对比分析结果表明,该复合系统相比传统机械制冷系统在节能方面具有明显优势。具体而言,在北京、乌鲁木齐和广州,辐射冷却器全年平均进出口温差为 2.40–3.28°C,说明该技术在中国大部分地区具备全年应用的可行性。在北京,采用该系统后,北京全年PUE降至 1.19,能效比EER提升达 60.74%。本研究为辐射制冷技术在数据中心中的工程应用提供了实验支撑与理论依据,有望推动未来绿色、高能效数据中心冷却解决方案的发展与落地。

Abstract

The rapid expansion of data centers has significantly increased energy consumption, with cooling systems accounting for about 40% of total use. Utilizing natural ambient cooling sources provides a simple and effective approach to enhancing energy efficiency. Radiative cooling (RC), though an emerging solution that can considerably reduce energy use, faces challenges in data centers due to the complex, multi-level nature of cooling systems, requiring careful adaptation across different scales, which hinders its widespread adoption in data centers. In this study, we designed radiative coolers for data center cooling systems to enhance efficiency, and then proposed an RC system integrating these structures and analyzed its energy-saving performance. The cooling properties of a real radiative cooling film applied to the cooler surface were experimentally tested, and the data were used for the simulation analysis of the proposed coolers. Five different radiative cooler structures were designed and optimized, and we conducted a comprehensive multi-level performance analysis of the optimized structures, including operational parameters such as flow rate and temperature, as well as the impact of location, climate, and regional adaptability. Subsequently, a novel hybrid cooling system incorporating radiative coolers for data centers was proposed. Comparative studies across different climate zones in China demonstrated that this hybrid system delivers substantial energy savings compared to traditional vapor-compression systems. Results showed that in Beijing, Urumqi, and Guangzhou, the annual temperature difference between the inlet and outlet of the radiative cooler ranges from 2.40°C to 3.28°C, making it feasible for radiative cooling throughout the year in most parts of China. The annual Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) in Beijing using the novel RC system is 1.19, with an increase in Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of 60.74%. This study may contribute to the development of green, energy-efficient cooling technologies for future data centers.

关键词

data center cooling / radiative cooling / radiative cooler structure / energy saving / system simulation

Key words

data center cooling / radiative cooling / radiative cooler structure / energy saving / system simulation

引用本文

导出引用
WANG Lu , LI Haibin , LIU Hong , CHEN Xiaoxuan , CHEN Liang , LI Zhen. Activate Radiative Cooling Technology for Data Center Cooling and Energy Efficiency Analysis[J]. 热科学学报, 2025, 34(3): 1129-1147 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-025-2146-x
WANG Lu , LI Haibin , LIU Hong , CHEN Xiaoxuan , CHEN Liang , LI Zhen. Activate Radiative Cooling Technology for Data Center Cooling and Energy Efficiency Analysis[J]. Journal of Thermal Science, 2025, 34(3): 1129-1147 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-025-2146-x

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基金

The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Tsinghua University China Mobile Communication Group Co., Ltd. Joint Research Institute Project (20232930009), and the Collaborative Key Projects with Academicians of Hebei Tsinghua Development Research Institute (V1648121398359).

版权

Science Press, Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, CAS and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025
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