AIST's Next Generation Data Center

Today, Sugita-san took me and others to look at AIST's "Next Generation Data Center", which is a container-based data center optimized for power efficiency. The container in the middle of the picture below is the next generation container-based data center while the building to the left is a traditional data center, but with improved cooling efficiency.

Let's take a look inside the traditional data center first.

The black rack is the cooling unit, located inside the data center for maximum efficiency.

A closer look at the server rack

and the cooling rack

and finally the UPS rack, composed of standard batteries good for 10 minutes.

Now, let us enter the next generation data center. For some reason, it's 40°C inside! I was told that it has never been this hot before, so maybe there's some problem. (EDIT: I was informed that the servers have high thermal tolerance. The high room temperature does not matter, but it is the airflow, which keeps the server cool, that is important.)

All computers here uses water cooling

The water cooling united connected inside the blade server

High voltage DC power is used for efficient power supply

This is the air exchange unit connected to the next generation data center

Anyone can probably tell that this is the air conditioning pipe!

If you're interested in more detail about AIST's next generation data center, please see the YouTube video (prepared by AIST) below.