An oil bath to cool data centers in a greener way (and recover their heat)

A huge stainless steel tank filled with oil. This is the funny piece of equipment that could be deployed in the coming years in companies or communities with a large computer park. Here, no question of cooking fries but of tackling a very energy-intensive problem, the cooling of data centers, while digital technology is already responsible for 2.5% of France’s carbon footprint according to a recent study. Ademe and Arcep.

While start-ups are competing for ideas to cool these servers as efficiently as possible, Hyperion is counting on the emerging technology of immersion thanks to a sort of enormous aquarium, from 600 to 900 liters. “We will immerse the server in what is commonly called oil, which is actually a dielectric and biodegradable fluid, explains Xavier Colas, head of strategic projects at the Mayenne group Numains. This liquid has special characteristics, and in particular that of not conducting electricity. »

Another big advantage: no need for an air conditioner to cool the rooms, with the promise of a big saving on the electricity bill which would be halved, but also very low water consumption. And this solution is intended to be downright virtuous since “90% of the heat can then be recovered, rather than dissipating it stupidly”, assures Xavier Colas who is pleased to have taken up this technical challenge, after a year of tests.

Limited corrosion

“With a heat exchanger, we can thus reinject hot water to relieve the boiler of a building, continues the manager, whose teams are divided between Laval and Vannes. The first customers, SMEs and communities committed to CSR, have already come forward. There are also those people who are renovating a mill: they want to unite the needs of surrounding companies in terms of data hosting, which could help heat the lodgings they intend to develop. »

Hyperion, which has just launched the marketing of its tanks manufactured in France, hopes to deploy “several dozen units” in France in the next three years. In a second step, the host sees himself making his mark internationally, and in particular in hot and humid countries. “In addition to being part of the global problem of energy costs, the fluid that we use limits the corrosion of the equipment, boasts Xavier Colas. We have fewer breakdowns, more durable equipment. »

While several companies are betting on this immersion technology, even with the use recycled cooking oil, Hyperion has “the claim that very advanced engineering has made it possible to develop the most powerful solution that exists today. »

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