In this module, we’ll explore a case study in which Grundfos designed several Distributed Pumping systems for a data center operator to demonstrate how the system could contribute to significant energy savings. A data center operator asked Grundfos to help plan a Distributed Pumping system that would fit into the data centers they planned to build. Grundfos took the original, traditional design of the data centers and, using their modelling software, produced an alternative design using Distributed Pumping.

Let’s take a look at the data centers. The data center operator plans to build several 2.2 megawatts colocation data centers in the India, Middle East, and Africa regions. All the facilities will be similar in design and contain chillers, CRAH units, and fan walls, and be fitted out as customers fill the space. The original design was a variable primary chilled water system using ten N K 100-315 pumps with a power rating of 30 kilowatts. The data centers also needed a redundancy of N+2, meaning that customers could expect continuous operation even if there was disruption to parts of the system.

This N+2 redundancy translates to the facility having eight working pumps, plus two redundant pumps, ensuring a robust and reliable system. The Grundfos Distributed Pumping modelling software suggested a design of: 10 TPE 125-190/4 primary pumps with an 11 kilowatts power rating, ensuring the N+2 redundancy. 66 TPE secondary pumps ranging from 0.55 kilowatts to 4 kilowatts that would be controlled from the CRAH units.

This proposed system was designed with the requested N+2 redundancy requirement so that the data centers could maintain their Tier III certification. Grundfos predicted that the use of Distributed Pumping in the data center would generate significant energy savings, amounting to approximately 50% of the pump energy consumed. The variable primary system was predicted to have consumed around 672,130 kilowatt hours per year, while the Distributed Pumping system is predicted to reduce this to 392,904 kilowatt hours per year.

This would give the data center operator a substantial saving of 279,226 kilowatt hours per annum. The plan is for the data halls to be brought online gradually over an undetermined period, and the implementation of Distributed Pumping means the data centers will be able to operate at maximum efficiency at part loads.

This eliminates the need for complex balancing and commissioning to ensure the smooth operation of the data centers at varying loads. The flexibility that Distributed Pumping offers was a key consideration for the data center operator and heavily influenced the decision to use it. The data centers have not yet been built but the data center operator has confirmed that they will be built using the proposed Distributed Pumping system from Grundfos.

Clear evidence from operational cases shows that a Distributed Pumping system contributes to additional savings in the overall efficiency of a chilled water system, enhancing its energy efficiency. The previous figures are based on calculations, but once the project is completed, we will determine the exact amount, as energy savings pose a huge benefit for data centers opting for a Distributed Pumping system.