Emerson Liebert Economizer Solutions Brochures and Data Sheets

Liebert Economizer Cooling Solutions

Reduce Cooling Costs by up to 50% Without Compromising Reliability

Precision Cooling for
Business-Critical Continuity

TM

Lower Cooling Energy Consumption by up to 50%

Fluid- and Air-side economizers take advantage of cold outside

temperatures to provide “free cooling” cycles that reduce or

eliminate the operation of data center precision cooling system

compressors and pumps.

Using economizers, you can lower cooling energy usage by up

to 50% − depending on the average ambient temperature and
humidity of your site.

A Focus on Energy Efficiency

While many IT professionals are considering economizers in
preparation for potential code or legislation changes, a move
toward improved efciencies can pay off with rewards of its own −
especially in terms of lower operating costs and utility incentives.
For example, some utility companies offer rebates for using energy­efcient equipment, quickly increasing your return on investment
and overall savings.

Geographic regions of greatest cooling economization opportunity

Consider Chiller Plant Economizer
Consider Chiller Plant or GLYCOOL Cooling Economizer
Consider Chiller Plant or Air Economizer
Consider Chiller Plant, Air Economizer or GLYCOOL Cooling Economizer

Industry Best Practices

When making the choice to use an economizer solution, it is critical
to analyze how changes will impact your entire data center.

®

Industry thought leader ASHRAE

recommends that IT professionals
investigating the use of economizers in their data centers
consider the impact of incorrect application, and/or maintenance/
operational issues, on the life of protected sensitive equipment:

■

High humidity can cause condensation that reduces server life and

affects operation

■

Low dew point can result in problems such as static electricity

■

Gaseous or particulate contaminants can adversely affect sensitive

electronics

■

Operational reliability, including redundancy, is required to

achieve IT initiatives

■

Reliable water sources for cooling towers

■

Chiller condensate sump heaters for cold climate operation (or

other solutions)

Why Emerson Network Power?

For more than 40 years, Liebert technologies have led the industry
in precision cooling for data centers, including economizing
solutions such as the free-cooling GLYCOOL system.

Our depth and breadth of experience make us uniquely prepared to
serve as trusted advisors to IT professionals. Liebert representatives
can help you decide which economization method is the right
solution for your application. They will guide you through the
complexities of environmental factors affecting your decision
making, including temperature ranges, dew point, humidity,
and the issue of gaseous and particulate contaminants, as well as
maintenance issues that impact all types of econimizers.

It’s how we deliver Efciency Without Compromise™ − providing
high availability products with energy-efcient technologies.

Efciency Without Compromise

Efciency Without Compromise provides a path to optimize data center infrastructure around design, operating and management
efciencies – while maintaining or improving availability. This is achieved through the proper selection and utilization of cooling, power and
monitoring technologies, supported by key services and local expertise.

INFRASTRUCTURE
MANAGEMENT

Impro ving perfo rmance
of the IT i nfrastru cture
and environment

ECO AVAILABILITY

Balan cing high leve ls
of availability and
efciency

2

FLEX CA PACITY

Adapti ng to IT change s
for continuous
optimization and
design exibility

HIGH DENS ITY

Delivering architectures
from 10- 60kW/rack to
minimi ze space and cos t

Atlanta Chicago Seattle

Fluid Economizer Liebert

Cooling

Tower

Dry-

cooler

CW or DS

with Air

Economizer
Full Economizer Hours 25% 17% 18% 48% 41% 14% 39% 23% 27%
Partial Economizer Hours 52% 34% 33% 39% 28% 22% 61% 61% 15%
Estimated Total Energy Savings 51% 36% 34% 67% 58% 25% 70% 49% 34%

The effect of ambient conditions in representative cities on economization hours and resultant energy savings, using different
economization methods (assumes cold aisle temperature 71°–80° F; CRAC return temperature 85° F). Cooling tower calculations were
made with Liebert chilled water-based precision cooling products. Drycooler calculations were based on Liebert precision cooling products
equipped with GLYCOOL option. Air economizer calculations based on 41.9° F dew point limitation.

Fluid Economizer Liebert

Cooling

Tower

Dry-

cooler

CW or DS

with Air

Economizer

Fluid Economizer Liebert

Cooling

Tower

Dry-

cooler

CW or DS

with Air

Economizer

Liebert Precision Cooling Economization

In accordance with ASHRAE’s guidance, and in keeping with our position as the industry’s power and cooling leader, Emerson Network
Power provides effective, efcient economizer solutions. Emerson Network Power offers uid-side economization solutions and an air-side
economizer – and Liebert technologies are well suited to work with economization solutions from third-party providers.

No economizer

Full economizer

Partial economizer

■

Potential dependant on dew point

Comparative hours of economizer operations through varying CR AC supply and return temperatures in three cities representing distinct ambient conditions
(partial economizer operation = outside ambient used to precool or assist in cooling of data center return air).

Fluid-Side vs. Air-Side Economization Comparison

Fluid-Side Air-Side

Advantages

■

Can be used in any climate cold enough to provide effective hours

of economization; Glycol-based systems operate effectively at
the widest range of outdoor ambient temperatures

■

Wider operating range results in 2x–3x more effective hours than

air economizer systems in most climates

■

No outside air is introduced to the data center, so the ltration

and humidication functions of the CRAC unit operate normally
to ensure optimal air quality and relative humidity

■

Service requirements and complexities are reduced compared

to air-side economizers; less lter changing and maintenance are
required

■

Compatible with Liebert DS, Liebert CW, Liebert Challenger 3000

and Liebert XD precision cooling systems (downow and upow)

Challenges

■

Indirect piping and control are more complex

■

Higher initial capital costs

■

Added water use for cooling tower

Advantages

■

Compatible with moderate climates

■

More operating hours than uid-side economizers, if

humidication is added

■

Can be used on systems that don’t use water for heat rejection

■

Lower initial capital costs

■

Uses less water than uid-side economizers

■

Compatible with Liebert DS and Liebert CW precision cooling

products (downow only)

Challenges

■

Ductwork required to get air into IT space

■

Narrower range of effective hours of operation if used without

humidication

■

Dust and pollen sensors are required to minimize lter

maintenance; humidity control can be costly and challenging

■

Need proven, intelligent controls to ensure proper temperature

and humidity

■

High-density applications may require more localized cooling

■

Mildew minimization actions required

3