| 主权项 |
1. A method of optimizing free cooling of data centers through weather-based intelligent control, the method comprising:
receiving, by a free cooling maximization module, predictive weather information for the data center's location, wherein the predictive weather information includes information describing expected future weather conditions at the data center's location; receiving, by the free cooling maximization module, a predetermined target inlet air flow temperature for computing components in the data center; receiving, by the free cooling maximization module, excursion information describing acceptable temporary operating conditions during which the inlet air flow temperature for computing components in the data center is higher than the predetermined target inlet air flow temperature for computing components in the data center, wherein the excursion information includes a maximum excursion temperature and a maximum amount of time during which the data center may operate using the maximum excursion temperature, wherein the maximum excursion temperature specifies an inlet air flow temperature for computing components in the data center that is higher than the predetermined target inlet air flow temperature for computing components in the data center; determining, by the free cooling maximization module, a free air cooling schedule in dependence upon the predictive weather information, the predetermined target inlet air flow temperature for computing components in the data center, and the excursion information, wherein the free air cooling schedule specifies periods of time during which cooling for computing components in the data center is provided with free air external to the data center and drawn into the data center at a temperature higher than the predetermined target inlet air flow temperature; and determining, by the free cooling maximization module, periods of time in the free air cooling schedule during which cooling for computing components in the data center is provided with HVAC, wherein the periods of time in the free air cooling schedule during which cooling is provided with HVAC are scheduled after all the periods of time during which cooling for computing components in the data center is provided with free air external to the data center and drawn into the data center at a temperature higher than the predetermined target inlet air flow temperature have been utilized, wherein the free air cooling schedule includes periods of time during which cooling for computing components in the data center is provided with free air external to the data center and drawn into the data center at a temperature higher than the predetermined target inlet air flow temperature and periods of time during which cooling for computing components in the data center is provided with HVAC in order to ensure adequate cooling with reduced electricity consumption. |
