Graphical Abstract Figure
System to recover and upgrade waste heat based on two-phase cooling with direct vapor re-compression. System allows for direct heat rejection through a low-pressure condenser or boosted waste heat recovery through either a high-pressure condenser (hot water generation) or an absorption chiller (cold water generation)
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System to recover and upgrade waste heat based on two-phase cooling with direct vapor re-compression. System allows for direct heat rejection through a low-pressure condenser or boosted waste heat recovery through either a high-pressure condenser (hot water generation) or an absorption chiller (cold water generation)

Graphical Abstract Figure
System to recover and upgrade waste heat based on two-phase cooling with direct vapor re-compression. System allows for direct heat rejection through a low-pressure condenser or boosted waste heat recovery through either a high-pressure condenser (hot water generation) or an absorption chiller (cold water generation)
View largeDownload slide

System to recover and upgrade waste heat based on two-phase cooling with direct vapor re-compression. System allows for direct heat rejection through a low-pressure condenser or boosted waste heat recovery through either a high-pressure condenser (hot water generation) or an absorption chiller (cold water generation)

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Issue Section:
Research Papers
Keywords:
data center, waste heat recovery, payback period, return on investment, net present value, carbon credits
Topics:
Carbon, Data centers, Economics , Hot water, Water, Waste heat, Cooling, Absorption, Heat recovery, Vapors, Emissions

Abstract

A thermo-economic analysis (TEA) of a novel cooling and enhanced heat recovery (CEHR) system for data centers (DCs) is presented. Three financial metrics (net present value—NPV, return on investment—ROI, and payback period—PP) are calculated for hot and chilled water generation. Hot water generation uses vapor recompression to produce water at approximately 75 °C. Chilled water generation builds upon the hot water generation scenario by feeding the hot water stream into an absorption chiller. Without considering the additional costs for connecting the infrastructure with the customer, a payback period shorter than 2 years is found for a hot water generation system for a base case assuming a 10-MW data center (DC) in Philadelphia, PA, when carbon (reduction) credits are included. Chilled water generation is found to be economically unfavorable in this location. Sensitivities of economics to data center power, hot water versus chilled water generation, geographic region, and carbon credits are evaluated for five additional global locations in Europe and Asia. The economies of scale enable favorable payback periods for integrating hot water generation for facilities beyond 7 MW. Hot water generation is especially favorable in Singapore when replacing natural gas-based heating or hot water heat pumps.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Keywords:
data center, waste heat recovery, payback period, return on investment, net present value, carbon credits
Topics:
Carbon, Data centers, Economics , Hot water, Water, Waste heat, Cooling, Absorption, Heat recovery, Vapors, Emissions

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