OVHcloud unveils AI-powered cooling to cut water & energy use
OVHcloud has announced a new cooling architecture for its datacentres, integrating artificial intelligence features aimed at lowering both power and water consumption while enabling real-time adaptation to environmental conditions.
The company stated that its new technology, the OVHcloud Smart Datacenter, will reduce water consumption by up to 30% and cooling electricity use by up to 50% across its facilities.
Server rack redesign
The fifth generation server rack represents a shift in the company's approach, accommodating the latest servers in configurations intended to streamline cooling management and maintenance. OVHcloud has implemented a "pull" hydraulic configuration, allowing each server to receive water at the necessary flow and pressure for its cooling demands. Central processing units (CPU) and graphics processing units (GPU) are cooled via direct-to-chip waterblocks in a closed-loop water circuit that spans the entire data centre.
The new rack design features clusters of servers connected in series for cooling, with parallel arrangements facilitating easier maintenance. This change in architecture has allowed for a reduction in power consumption at the rack level, according to OVHcloud.
Smart and autonomous cooling
The system includes a cooling module located outside the racks, termed the Cooling Distribution Unit (CDU), which is approximately 50% more compact than previous models and can cool several rows of racks simultaneously. With more than 30 sensors, the CDU monitors factors such as pressure, speed, and water temperature, adjusting cooling parameters in real time based on server workloads and environmental conditions. This, OVHcloud says, not only improves operational efficiency but extends the lifespan of the equipment.
The Smart Dry Cooler is the final component in the closed water loop, occupying half the previous space and requiring only half as many fans as before. These changes contribute to the company's reported reduction of cooling system power consumption by up to 50%, and also help lower ambient noise in the data centre environment.
"We are delighted to unveil a new generation of evaporative cooling solutions, including Smart Racks. With our one integrated cooling loop design, we are paving the way for Smart Datacenters that leverage our most advanced technologies as well as artificial intelligence to tackle what was once an impossible equation" said Miroslaw Klaba, OVHcloud R&D Director.
Monitoring and AI-driven efficiency
The new smart racks continuously analyse operational data from within the servers, racks, and cooling modules. This data is pooled into a datalake, where complex algorithms anticipate system requirements and help optimise maintenance procedures. The system can be connected with a local weather station to further refine its analyses.
Algorithms are able to predict and deliver the precise amount of water required by the adiabatic cooling pads of the Dry Cooler, allowing environmentally responsive cooling. OVHcloud reports that this control has led to a 30% reduction in water usage. Unlike traditional systems, their design omits recirculation loops and complex hydraulic components, thereby reducing overall infrastructure complexity and simplifying maintenance tasks.
Predictive and adaptive controls
The AI technology in the OVHcloud Smart Racks allows the system to adjust operational parameters such as pump and fan speeds or valve openings automatically. Settings can be optimised not just for cooling efficiency, but also in consideration of external constraints such as noise restrictions, water scarcity, and energy costs. For example, the system can favour water preservation by consuming more power, or manage sound levels to suit urban environments.
OVHcloud emphasises its sustainability track record, referencing more than 25 years of practice in responsible digital technology and the development of over a hundred cooling patents. Its data centres have, since 2003, been equipped with water cooling infrastructure that supports some of the industry's lowest power usage effectiveness (PUE) and water usage effectiveness (WUE) metrics, according to company statements.
The latest developments are also in line with commitments made by the company earlier in the year regarding sustainable artificial intelligence. OVHcloud has started deploying the new racks and cooling systems at its Roubaix data centre, where nearly 60 racks and 2,000 servers are currently installed with the new technology. The company intends to extend the deployment to its other data centre sites.
