Balancing the hot aisle/cold aisle configuration, the flexible SmartAisle solution contains the cold aisle to prevent mixing of hot and cold air, while adding a layer of intelligent management through the Liebert iCOM control system. The combination of cold aisle containment and precise control of aisle temperature, humidity, and airflow allows the SmartAisle solution to guarantee energy savings of 30 percent and a 25 percent increase in cooling capacity, without compromising availability.
“Containment has proven to be an effective way to approach increased efficiency in data center cooling systems, but containment without control is only a partial solution,” says Stefano Mozzato, Marketing Director Liebert EMEA. “With the SmartAisle solution, we have taken containment to the next level, multiplying the results achieved by providing greater control of the contained environment while enabling a modular approach to data center optimization.”
Emerson Network Power's Knurr® cabinets are used in cold aisle containment infrastructure. The SmartAisle solution can also be retrofitted to existing IT racks. A plexiglass ceiling system acts as a barrier to contain cold air. Sliding or swing doors delimit the areas at the end of the aisle. Horizontal and vertical rack vents are used to optimize airflow within the cabinet. An alternative ceiling curtain system is available as an alternative to the plexiglass ceiling panels.
The Liebert iCOM control system provides monitoring, control, and communication capabilities, essential for significantly improving performance compared to standard containment structures. Remote sensors in both the cold and hot aisles enable Liebert iCOM to ensure proper temperature, humidity, and airflow at the server inlet. The control system monitors conditions in the cold aisle to independently control both the variable compressor capacity (or chilled water cooling capacity) and the fan speed of the cooling units, allowing the units to operate in team mode for energy-efficient load-sharing.
The SmartAisle solution can be used in both standard and raised floor systems and is compatible with Liebert HPM Digital Scroll variable capacity and Liebert HPM cooling units, with Liebert iCOM controls, as well as Liebert CRV (row-based) and Liebert XD systems, also with Liebert iCOM controls. The system can cool up to 30 kW per rack, depending on whether internal or external cooling is used with cold aisle containment. Existing IT racks can be retrofitted with a SmartAisle containment system.
