Select your language

Cooling key to efficiency of Europe's largest data center

International. Recognized as the largest in Europe, the Lefdal mine data center, located in Norway, underwent a renovation to become a facility with the lowest carbon footprint on that continent.

The data center used ABB technologies to create the critical electrical infrastructures with which to supply clean energy to these 120,000 m2 facilities.

This lefdal mine data centre, whose energy supply depends exclusively on four glacial hydropower stations and two wind farms, with a combined capacity of over 300 MW, aims to become the largest and greenest in Europe.

ABB, in collaboration with Rittal, has been a partner from the beginning to provide tailor-made power supply solutions, as well as extensive knowledge and experience for such an ambitious engineering project. One of the most important aspects was to supply an electrical system that maintains reliability as the center grows (up to 200 MW from the current 10 MW) in different phases over the next three years.

- Publicidad -

To overcome these challenges, ABB has created a medium-voltage backbone network for the entire facility. In case of emergency situations, ABB also incorporates a decentralized UPS system (uninterruptible power supply), so each section of the data center has its own UPS installation. If a problem occurs in the grid, the UPS is activated in a matter of milliseconds to ensure a reliable power supply until the backup generators intervene.

The centre currently has 120,000 m2 of white space, much of which is in Rittal-supplied containers parked in the mine's former underground conduits. "ABB was one of the first to join the project, as it all starts with the electricity supply," explains Andreas Keiger, executive vice president of Rittal. "Transformers and generators are needed. So, given our good relationship, we started thinking about how we could involve ABB in the project."

Data centers are one of the most energy-consuming facilities. However, the Lefdal mine is incredibly energy efficient. In addition to its sustainable food sources, it uses cold water from a nearby fjord 565 meters deep as a coolant. The data center is located below sea level, eliminating the need for expensive high-capacity pumps to lift water from the fjord to the cooling system's heat exchangers. All this results in the data center cooling solution having an energy use efficiency or PUE (the industry standard for measuring energy efficiency) of between 1.08 and 1.15 per 5 kW rack, thus becoming one of the greenest data centers in the world with energy savings. This is 30% to 40% compared to conventional installations.

"Cooling is critical because of the huge amount of heat these servers generate. Thanks to the efficiency of water cooling, these server containers allow up to 50 kW of power, when you would normally expect between 7 and 8 kW with conventional air cooling," said Mats Andersson, marketing director of the Lefdal mine data center.

The Lefdal mine's data center has been in operation since May 2017 and is built 150 meters inside a mountain in what was once an underground olivine mining mine, also known as gem peridot, a high-density green mineral used in the production of steel. Located on the western coast of Norway, between Måløy and Nordfjordeid, these mountainous six-storey facilities set a new standard for the data centre sector.

Duván Chaverra Agudelo
Duván Chaverra AgudeloEmail: [email protected]
Jefe Editorial de las revistas AVI Latinoamérica, ACR Latinoamérica, Ventas de Seguridad, Zona de Pinturas, Aftermarket Internation, Gerencia de Edificios, TV y Video, y Director Académico en Latin Press, Inc,.
Comunicador Social y Periodista con experiencia de más de 18 años en medios de comunicación. Apasionado por la tecnología y por esta industria.

No comments

• If you're already registered, please log in first. Your email will not be published.

Leave your comment

In reply to Some User
Mirage and Conalep Navojoa promote the training of refrigeration and air conditioning technicians

Mirage and Conalep Navojoa promote the training of refrigeration and air conditioning technicians

Mexico. Mirage announced a strategic alliance with the Plantel Conalep Sonora Navojoa to strengthen the training of new technicians in the sector.

New commitment to thermoacoustics for more efficient heat pumps

New commitment to thermoacoustics for more efficient heat pumps

United States. Copeland has invested in BlueHeart Energy, a Dutch startup developing thermoacoustic technology for more efficient and sustainable heat pumps.

Reliable Controls Appoints Sean Roukey as Business Development Executive

Reliable Controls Appoints Sean Roukey as Business Development Executive

International. Reliable Controls has appointed Sean Roukey as its new Business Development Executive for the Northeast United States.

KNX LATAM revolutionizes automation in Latin America with the Virtual Building Automation Days

KNX LATAM revolutionizes automation in Latin America with the Virtual Building Automation Days

Chile. Next Thursday, April 10th, KNX Latin America will hold the Virtual Building Automation Days, registration is free of charge.

GreenYellow and La Fazenda inaugurate a sustainable refrigeration system

GreenYellow and La Fazenda inaugurate a sustainable refrigeration system

Colombia. A new energy-efficient refrigeration system was installed at the La Fazenda refrigeration plant in Puerto Gaitán, Meta.

Officine Mario Dorin announces ambitious expansion plan at its Florence headquarters

Officine Mario Dorin announces ambitious expansion plan at its Florence headquarters

International. Officine Mario Dorin, a refrigeration company, has announced a major expansion plan at its headquarters in Florence, Italy.

Copeland expands its presence in Latin America with a new office in Chile

Copeland expands its presence in Latin America with a new office in Chile

Chile. As part of its regional growth strategy, Copeland has opened a new office in Santiago, Chile, strengthening its presence in the HVACR market.

Environment and UNDP recognize ten women for their contribution to the protection of the ozone layer

Environment and UNDP recognize ten women for their contribution to the protection of the ozone layer

Dominican Republic. Within the framework of International Women's Day, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) highlighted the work of ten...

Register for the Building Automation Webinar: Keys to Understanding Modbus and BACnet

Register for the Building Automation Webinar: Keys to Understanding Modbus and BACnet

International.  On March 27, 2025, ACR Latin America will offer a webinar focused on building automation protocols, with an emphasis on understanding Modbus and BACnet.

Scientists develop the first elastocaloric air conditioner on a commercial scale

Scientists develop the first elastocaloric air conditioner on a commercial scale

International. Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed the first elastocaloric air conditioning system with cooling capacity on a commercial scale.

Free Subscription
Remember Me
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
DO YOU NEED A SERVICE OR PRODUCT QUOTE?
LASTEST INTERVIEWS
SITE SPONSORS










LASTEST NEWSLETTER
Ultimo Info-Boletin