Optimization and energy efficiency of the cooling systems are ongoing focus areas in Data Centres. Heat produced by servers needs to be dissipated. Doing so in a more sustainable way allows for considerable savings And that’s exactly what Grundfos’ MIXIT solution does.
One of NorthC’s data centres is located at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven. NorthC has over 10 data centres spread across the Netherlands, and several sites in Germany and Switzerland. CTO Ronald van den Bosch describes the application of Grundfos’ MIXIT at the data centre on the High Tech Campus, and how it fits in with NorthC’s sustainability philosophy. “A data center generates an enormous amount of heat. We’ve been exploring ways to use this heat effectively through heat exchange for quite some time. At our location in Rotterdam, for example, we plan to use a thermal energy storage system (TES) to partially heat 10,000 homes with residual heat. However, while the heat supply from the data center remains constant throughout the year, the demand from the homes does not. That’s why a substantial buffer is needed.”
CO₂-neutral by 2030
NorthC aims to operate carbon-neutral by 2030. To achieve this, the company has defined several key pillars: green hydrogen, renewable energy, reuse of residual heat, artificial intelligence, and modular construction.
Green hydrogen plays a crucial role in reducing the carbon footprint of emergency power systems. The location in Groningen and the second data centre in Eindhoven are already equipped with this technology. Moreover, all of the company’s data centres run entirely on renewable energy, and every new facility is prepared to share residual heat. Artificial intelligence is used to monitor ambient conditions within the data centres, ensuring optimal control and energy efficiency. AI-driven pilot projects further optimize layout and cooling performance. The modular construction approach ensures that new facilities are only built when needed to expand capacity, minimizing unnecessary resource use.
Chip cooling
“At this data centre, we applied chip-level cooling, using water as a cooling agent for the first time,” says Van den Bosch. “The energy density of chips keeps increasing, along with the associated high temperatures - reaching up to 70 °C. This demands the most efficient cooling possible. Each chip is fitted with a small cooling block, and cooling water is circulated through the server via flexible hoses to extract heat directly at the source. The temperature shifts very quickly and very significantly, and the MIXIT-solution responds with extremely high speed and accuracy. The effectiveness and efficiency are exceptional, which is why we’re seeing a clear shift from air cooling to liquid cooling. As computing power continues to grow, so does the amount of heat that needs to be managed. Water can dissipate up to four times more energy than air. Only oil performs better -far better, in fact. Oil cooling is done via immersion cooling, where servers are submerged in a non-conductive fluid. But that requires a modified infrastructure, whereas chipintegrated liquid cooling can be implemented within the existing architecture.”
From left to right: Nico Verdonck and Ronald van den Bosch
From new product to proof of concept
The company responsible for NorthC’s technical installations is Hamer, a long-time partner of Grundfos. Verdonck explains that the proof of concept was developed through close collaboration, and that alignment from the very first moment was essential. NorthC was already familiar with Grundfos’ quality, but Van den Bosch particularly appreciated the approach during the during the preliminary phase of the first MIXIT implementation. “We worked together intensively to achieve the projected result. Grundfos played a truly important role in that process. When deploying a new product for such a critical function, you need to work together to ensure it performs as intended—just as you envisioned it together beforehand. Not every supplier is willing to think that far ahead with you. Grundfos took that responsibility, allowing us to deliver on our promise to our customers.”
"Chip cooling needs to respond quickly, and the temperatures are higher than with conventional cooling. With MIXIT, we now have a system that requires no intervention — it’s a worry-free solution that regulates optimally."
Each of the three parties contributed their expertise to validate the system. “The project started in 2021 and was delivered mid-2022. Nearly three years later, it’s running flawlessly,” says the satisfied client. “I think it’s worth mentioning that the system requires little to no maintenance, and that the MIXIT operates with high reliability.”
Standardised design
The MIXIT-solution also makes a significant contribution to the aspect of modular construction, thanks to its standardised design. Van den Bosch: “We have complete skid-mounted modules built by the installer, which are then transported as turnkey units to the desired site. The installer also integrates all components and infrastructure, including (emergency) power connections, pump sets and sensors. Depending on the required capacity, we supply several skids, each with a fixed output. Specifications may sometimes vary slightly, based on location or specific customer requirements. But working with standardised modules greatly improves maintenance efficiency and helps reduce our carbon footprint. It reduces engineering hours, speeds up construction and minimises logistics.
For a greenfield location, where we are building a completely new data centre, the construction time is approximately thirteen months. That is extremely fast. Of course, that requires having the building permit in place and securing the sufficient power connection - currently the biggest challenge. When the project is about upgrading or integration into existing sites, we can deliver in six to twelve months.”
Optimizing for tomorrow
As chip performance increases, liquid cooling is becoming ever more important, Van den Bosch notes. “We always want to be one step ahead. The trend is heading towards 300, 400, even 500 kW per rack. Chip cooling needs to be highly responsive, as the temperatures exceed those seen in conventional cooling systems. With MIXIT, we now have a system that requires no attention; it is carefree and regulates conditions optimally.”