Efficient method to cool the data center using solar energy

Abstract

Solar energy is the only source which is abundantly available and which can be used to power a cooling system that is based on absorption cycle. Solar cooling system can be used to provide refrigeration for food and medicines and comfort cooling also. Such systems are speci cally applicable to the large applications having large cooling loads for particularly big periods of a year. Peak demand for the cooling of a building and the highest availability of solar radiation are in similar phase, which makes solar cooling of any building a potential energy source and also a green solution. In this project, The Lithium bromide-water absorption cycle is used because of its lower operating temperature. By considering it as a working fluid a solar absorption refrigeration is designed to cool the datacenter with respect to the weather condition of Texas state. The system is designed in such way that the usage of electricity can be totally eliminated in the sunny days and partially eliminated in the winter, when the solar energy is not available at its full intensity. Regular vapor-compression cooling systems are expensive as they are powered by electricity and are dependent on fossil fuels. Dropping the use of such systems will also help in reducing their effect on Ozone layer depletion and Global warming. Now-a-days, absorption chillers deliver almost 50% of the worldwide commercial cooling load. This green solution of solar powered air conditioning system together with thermal storage will help in reducing total electricity consumed and increasing the overall cooling capacity of the system.