Simtec conducted a comprehensive cooling study for two Data Centers located in the Attica region, utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. The study included both the analysis of external heat flow from the air conditioning units and the simulation of the internal spaces.

For the external analysis, a 3D model was created by capturing the topography and surrounding buildings using Google Earth, in order to account for the influence of terrain on airflow. Various scenarios of wind speed and direction were simulated based on the area's meteorological data, focusing on the most thermally adverse summer conditions. The primary objective was to identify problematic zones where temperatures exceeded acceptable limits, as well as areas of potential “thermal short-circuiting”, where hot air exiting the AC units could re-enter their intake, leading to significant cooling inefficiencies.

Internally, the cooling of individual rooms was simulated based on their specific equipment (servers, racks, UPS systems, transformers, etc.). The hot aisle/cold aisle (HACA) method was employed, in which chilled air was introduced beneath the room's raised floor by the AC units. This air then passed through specially designed openings in the cold aisles and was directed through the equipment requiring cooling. Multiple simulation scenarios provided critical insights for both normal and emergency operating conditions, including cases where one or more AC units were offline.

These simulations offered valuable observations regarding cooling challenges and hot spots both inside and outside the Data Centers. Identifying areas with temperatures above optimal thresholds contributed to a more efficient thermal design for a large-scale and demanding project.