Cooling IT critical environments

Q Please can you provide some brief background on Weatherite

Air Conditioning as a company?

A Still privately owned, Weatherite Air Conditioning began life as a result of a conversation that took place in a conservatory in the Black Country in 1972. Since then the Weatherite Group has grown significantly however, air conditioning and cooling is still the backbone of this very British, family run organisation. In terms of cooling for IT environments, we won our first order from BT in 1980 for a fresh air free cooling unit installed in the Bishop Stortford exchange and we continued to install cooling equipment for over 32 years, delivering thousands of cooling units across the UK.
Q Who are the key personnel?

A The Chairman and founder, John Whitehouse, is still heavily involved in the Group but in terms of our data centre cooling business, this is headed up by Paul Smiles, with Paul Griffiths in charge of the technical aspects and myself heading the data centre sales department. All four of us have over 30 years IT related cooling experience under our belts and this level of expertise ensures that if there’s a cooling requirement—we will deliver exactly the right solution.
Q What have been the major milestones to date for Weatherite
Air Conditioning?

A Since our inception in 1972 there have been a significant number of milestones including the growth of the business from a small unit in the heart of the West Midlands to now having 3 large, state-of-the-art manufacturing plants. Over those 43 years we have invested millions of pounds in our manufacturing capabilities and can boast that we’re one of the UK’s leading cooling equipment manufacturers. We have delivered cooling solutions for the likes of Vodafone, EE, Virgin Media, BT, O2, SSE, Telecity Group, Redcentric and Virtus to name but a few.
Q How important is the data centre market to Weatherite, bearing
in mind it sells air conditioning/cooling to many markets?

A Although the data centre market has grown significantly over the last 10 years, we were in fact installing our direct outside air free cooling solution within 70% of BT’s exchanges back in the 80’s and 90’s. IT critical environments have always been an important area for us and we have been steadily developing our product solutions to ensure we can offer the right DC cooling solution. Yes, we deliver cooling equipment to the majority of the UK’s leading retailers but cooling data centres needs a specific knowledge and level or expertise and we have this within our dedicated data centre team. It is a market that is looking for innovative cooling solutions and our experience in a variety of other cooling areas enables us to cross fertilise ideas across various applications.
Q How does Weatherite stand out in the data centre cooling
market, bearing in mind it’s a very busy one?!

A We practice exactly what we preach. We do not offer one solution for all applications. We work closely with the consultant, contractor or FM specialist and if possible, with the end user, to look at the problem and deliver the most appropriate solution. Also, unlike a number of our competitors, we do not offer a ‘set range’ of cooling capacities. If the client requires 87.5kW of cooling, we don’t try and sell a 100 or 80kW units, we build exactly what’s required to deliver the optimum solution. This has always been our USP and, with in house cooling experts with over 30 years’ experience, we aim to deliver the most energy efficient, environmentally sensitive, low maintenance solution- - delivering an exceptionally low PUE.
Q Weatherite offers a range of cooling
solutions – direct free outside air
cooling, adiabatic cooling, high
density cooling, combined
cooling and power and hot/
cold aisle containment – can
you tell us a little bit about
each one?

A We offer free cooling with modulating fresh air and recirculation air where the client accepts the full allowable limits of ASHRAE conditions. This can be supplemented with the addition of adiabatic cooling and/or DX top up. This is best done directly to the data hall supply air but where the client cannot use direct outside air then we can offer these solutions in an indirect format.
Aisle containment allows us to work with higher temperature air streams and consequently improves the energy transfer from the primary cooling medium so the solutions in these applications are very often smaller and less energy hungry.
Some applications require ‘hot spot’ cooling so in row solutions are also available.
In terms of cooling capacities, these can range from 8kw to 150kW for modular type cooling units.
Q How their application
within the data centre
might differ – i.e. what’s
suitable for what data centre
environment?

A The priority in the initial design phase is to establish the solution with the most energy efficient method. Of course other considerations such as physical space, clients operating parameters, power limitations etc. can have an influence on the design; hence we need a range of solutions to ensure we can offer the appropriate product for the clients’ requirements.
Q If direct free outside air cooling is free, how come everyone is
not offering/implementing this technology?!

A In terms of cooling a data centre, no other solution is more economic than using direct outside air, both in terms of capital expenditure and on-going operating costs. There are two key considerations that need to be taken into account when looking at using direct outside air to cool a data centre. One is location; the other being the client’s acceptability of using highly filtered outside air as the main source of cooling, supported by an in-built supplementary full recirc facility in case of outside air fire or smoke detection. The moment the smoke has been detected by monitors positioned outside the data centre, the cooling units automatically switch to full mechanical cooling, ensuring that no outside air enters the date centre. Indirect Adiabatic as a solution, for instance, is far less energy efficient and a lot more expensive than direct outside air cooling. Having said all this, we offer a range of solutions and we always consider ‘all’ the options before making a recommendation.
Q How can Weatherite help data centre owners/operators reduce
their energy costs?

A As everyone in the industry is acutely aware, cooling a data centre uses a lot or energy so the aim must be to reduce on-going energy usage and of course associated costs. In terms of reducing those costs, direct outside air cooling solutions offer the most cost effective, low energy solution by far, when compared to other cooling solutions on the market, both in terms of initial investment and on-going energy usage. However, it’s never that simple, that’s why we offer a range of solutions. What we can categorically state is that we incorporate the very latest energy saving technologies within all our cooling equipment- aimed at delivering highly efficient, energy saving, low carbon emitting, low PUE cooling solutions.
Q And reduce their CO2, emissions?

A The challenge to reduce CO2 emissions has been an on-going directive within the global HVAC industry for many years and, as a company, we take this objective very seriously indeed. We design cooling systems for a number of other sectors and the demand to reduce CO2 emissions is at the top of everyone’s list and we strive to continually design the product with this objective in mind.
Q And lower their PUE?

A PUE measures the relationship between the total facility energy consumed and the IT equipment energy consumed. PUE is defined as the total power used by a facility, divided by the power used in the IT equipment. Therefore, efficiency within the IT infrastructure of a data centre has to be matched within other areas of the infrastructure rather than viewed in isolation.
Q Do you think that PUE is a helpful measure, and are there other
important guidelines/standards?

A When viewed in the proper context, PUE provides guidance for and useful insight into the design of efficient power and cooling architectures, the deployment of equipment within those architectures, and the day-to-day operation of that equipment. However, energy conservation has to become a priority for every aspect of the data centre operation including office based facilities, etc. Measuring true PUE is important and the calculation should not be manipulated to give a ‘sales’ PUE.
Q Such as the EU Code of Conduct for Data Centre?

A Weatherite is an endorser of the EU Code of Conduct which encourages all parties to consider and implement energy usage to lower the TCO. Using our extensive expertise we advise design and manufacture cooling solutions providing low TCO.
Q And the AHSRAE standard?

A ASHRAE standards give clear and tested guidance, particularly concerning operating temperatures/relative humidity’s and, if their recommendations are accepted, could lead to massive energy savings across the data centre environment. There are still concerns amongst a percentage of data centre owners who are, quite rightly a little bit nervous about raising their operating temperatures but there’s enough evidence out there now that supports ASHRAE’s recommendations.
Q Is there a ‘magic formula’ for achieving high efficiency cooling
– or is it very much a case of addressing the variables found in
each data centre environment?

A With any solution it is important the client realises that the higher their threshold is on operating temperatures, the more efficient it is to reject the heat! There really isn’t a one solution fits all. Comms rooms, server rooms, data centres, low density, medium density, high density, new build, expansion, legacy, replacement, location, innovation, new technology, new thinking. The data centre industry is a very dynamic environment and, as cooling providers, we strive to deliver the optimum solution for each individual application. That means designing the right type of cooling for the specific application, not trying to make one solution work for all applications.
Q What are the challenges/benefits of installing a cooling solution
in a greenfield site?

A Obviously, with a greenfield application you’re almost starting with a clean sheet of paper and every aspect of the build can be considered in the round, in order to develop the optimum solutions for the data centre whether that is location, size, building configuration, power and cooling requirements, etc. We have over 43 years’ experience working very closely with consultants, contractors and indeed their end user clients to ensure we develop exactly the right cooling solution which is fully integrated into the total build design. The technologies we recommend must ensure they will be delivering a high quality, effective, low maintenance cooling solution designed for years of problem free operation.
Q As opposed to retrofitting a solution to an existing data centre
and/or in a brownfield site?

A Obviously, delivering a retrofit solution has its own set of problems however; this is an area where we have a distinct advantage over many of our competitors. As a bespoke manufacturer of cooling solutions, we have the ability to design direct replacement equipment incorporating the very latest cooling technologies and innovations which can be fitted into existing facilities, with very little disruption. There are a lot of legacy data centres out there needing to upgrade some of their kit and we can offer replacement solutions at much lower capex than new build but still offering the latest cooling technologies. We have the capabilities to survey, design, manufacture, install commission and service & maintain and a lot of organisations are looking at this lower cost alternative.

Q Presumably, if Weatherite is involved in the data centre design
stage, you can have valuable input in the efficiency/
effectiveness of the cooling solution, as opposed to being
presented with a fait accomplit?

A As one of the UK’s leaders in designing cooling equipment and with over 40 years’ experience delivering bespoke cooling solutions for many blue chip organisations we would prefer, if possible, to work closely with the end user and their consultancy, contractor teams at a very early stage to ensure we design the best solution for the end user client. From our perspective, the earlier the better really. By understanding what the client is aiming to achieve from day one provides us with a valuable insight into their requirements and aspirations for the future. We are great believers in open discussions aimed at delivering the best solution possible.
Q What are Weatherite’s routes to market – in the UK and abroad?

A Our expertise lies in our cooling expertise and constant innovation linked to developing the most energy efficient, low carbon, cost effective solution. We have both ‘new build’ and ‘replacement’ expertise and will always recommend the best solution for each individual application, whether it’s for a brand new state-of-the art co- location data centre or replacement cooling for a smaller server or comms room as part of an end users own facility. Therefore, our routes to market include Data Centre Consultants/Specialists, M & E Consultants, Main contractors, FM companies and, depending on the circumstances, the end user. Our expertise lies in designing and manufacturing cooling equipment but, as with many of our competitors, we have the capabilities to also survey, install, commission and maintain all our equipment, if our client requires any of these services. We can also offer full CDM services where required.
Q Do you have any plans to expand these?

A Although we are a UK based manufacturer, we do undertake work within a number of EU Countries, usually in conjunction with the lead Consultant. Operating in Europe doesn’t particularly cause us any problems and we also have a network of contractors we work closely with. In terms of expansion, perhaps northern Europe offers the greatest potential in the short term and there are a lot of legacy data centres out there needing replacement cooling equipment. We are also constantly looking at our product portfolio and developing new data centre cooling solutions will also open doors for us.
Q What can we expect from Weatherite during the rest of 2015
and beyond in terms of technology developments?

A We are primarily known as a direct outside air specialist but that’s only because we have worked for BT for over 30 years and all their facilities have utilise this highly effective, energy saving solution. Our comprehensive cooling portfolio includes: Indirect Adiabatic, In-Row, Direct Adiabatic, large fully packaged rooftop solutions, direct replacement solutions, CRAC replacement solutions and air containment. So, whatever the client requires- - -we can design and deliver the right solution. However, Weatherite is renowned for innovative thinking and we constantly review the market place and our range of solutions to make sure was one step ahead of our competitors.
Q Any other comments?

A Weatherite has been cooling IT critical environments for the last 35 years and has a reputation for quality, expertise and innovation. We have over 12,000 cooling units currently in operation around the UK on IT cooling and, whatever the location, size, shape, condition--- we can deliver the right cooling solution every time.

For further information contact Pat on 0121 665 2266 or visit
www.datacentre-cooling.com