Free cooling for O2

Weatherite Building Services Ltd (WBS), appointed by M&E contractor Spie Matthew Hall Limited, was responsible for the installation and commissioning of high energy efficient Air Handling Units (AHU's), manufactured by WBS' sister company Weatherite Manufacturing Limited (WML).

In total, 8 WML direct fresh air free cooling AHUs, each with a 45kW net cooling duty, were installed within two rooms at the new O2 site. The units were specified by appointed consultants Arup & Partners due to their ability to meet the climatic demands of the project, whilst being a more energy efficient solution than conventional CRAC units.

Designed specifically to cater for the required IT rack equipment heat loads, all units were supplied as down flow versions, constructed in two sections, to allow assembly onto purpose designed floor stands on site, resulting in a controlled air distribution via floor grilles between the rows of racks in a cold aisle/hot aisle configuration. Dependent on external ambient temperatures these downflow units could deliver free cooling to the equipment rooms for as much as 90% of the year, resulting in very substantial savings in energy costs and also reducing O2's overall carbon footprint.

WBS also supplied and fitted external louvres with rear duct connections for incoming fresh air free cooling and condenser unit air exhaust if the integral DX cooling was required to operate during high ambient conditions, together with room pressurisation relief damper section. Condensate drains, complete with protective water detection tape were also installed and connected to the control panel of each AHU enabling them to provide remote real time monitoring of all environmental conditions to the site BMS.

"Having successfully worked with both Spie Matthew Hall and O2 previously, we were confident we could help them to meet the demands of this project within the tight programme deadlines," comments Brian Taylor, Southern Sales Manager of Weatherite Building Services.

"By providing a self-contained internal cooling system we were able to not only eliminate the need for external plant and overcome the space limitations of the project but also provide an energy efficient solution that improved running costs and resulted in a much lower PUE value for the client."

In addition WBS also provided cooling installations for the separate electrical switchgear room in the extension, plus new UPS and battery rooms constructed within the existing data centre complex.

WBS has over 25 years' experience in delivering data centre/comms room cooling solutions, offering all its clients a one-stop-shop complete building services solution-from one single source including total project management, full design, installation and commissioning activities.