( Virtual Showroom )Globally, the data centre industry is growing rapidly. In Africa alone, there are a reported 152 data centres – a figure that’s expected to rise steadily in line with the continent’s ongoing digital transformation.

However, as IT Enclosure Sales specialist for Rittal South Africa, Joleen Maritz points out, ensuring that these data centres are maintained and equipped with the latest technology, will be critical. “Older data centres are usually inefficient and can become costly to manage – not only in terms of operational performance and capability, but also in terms of energy consumption. At a time when cost reduction and sustainability are top priorities for governments as well as businesses, data centre owners should prioritise the modernisation and maintenance of their data centres.”

The high cost of outdated tech

Maritz explains that the inefficiency of the cooling systems is a key issue in older data centres. “Studies show that the cooling system accounts for almost half of the total energy consumed by the average data centre. Older cooling systems, which are less efficient than the new generation of solutions now available on the market, should be replaced or upgraded with new technology, to ensure the data centres are cost efficient and environmentally sustainable”.

In addition to the financial costs associated with outdated cooling systems, data centre owners may soon find themselves on the wrong side of regulation. Some countries have introduced new laws requiring new data centres to meet climate-related criteria, with fines for companies that operate outdated and inefficient facilities. “While South Africa may not yet have similar regulations in place, local data centre owners would be wise to embrace sustainability and invest in modern cooling systems that will ensure their infrastructure and operations are in line with global best practices,” notes Maritz.

Investment in new tech is key

“As industries continue to adopt technology innovations like AI and IoT, security, reliability and sustainability will be key to business growth. The integrity and efficiency of data centre infrastructure will become even more important, and an investment in the latest cooling technology will be essential,” she says, pointing to Rittal’s range of cutting-edge cooling solutions.

Among these is Rittal’s award-winning Blue e+ range of cooling units, dubbed the world’s most efficient climate control solution. The new 750W unit, for example, features the latest inverter technology that enables precision cooling, and delivers average energy savings of 75%.

Last year, the company announced the launch of a new IT direct water cooling solution that delivers 1 megawatt of cooling output, supporting the increasing demand for computing power and the adoption of AI. In this modular coolant distribution solution, the server is connected to central inlets and outlets of water via standardised connections, with leakage monitoring at the component level. Liquid-to-air variants are also available for data centres without a water connection. “This solution is not yet available in South Africa, but it’s development demonstrates Rittal’s commitment to innovation and sustainability,” adds Maritz.

“We anticipate increasing market interest in our range of cooling solutions, which not only lower data centre carbon footprint and operating costs, but ensure a longer service life for installed components,” concludes Maritz.