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Data centers

Energy Consumption of Data Centers: A New Study Suggests a Novel Composite Envelope Structure

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A study published by researchers from Tianjin Chengjian University has shed light on the energy consumption of data centers, highlighting the significance of innovative envelope structures in reducing cooling loads. According to the research, the energy consumption of data centers has become increasingly prominent, prompting the need for efficient solutions. The study proposes a novel composite envelope structure that integrates passive radiative cooling with air-layer insulation, demonstrating remarkable results in reducing indoor air temperatures and cooling loads.

Key Takeaways:

  • The energy consumption of data centers has become increasingly prominent, necessitating the development of efficient solutions.
  • The study proposes a novel composite envelope structure that integrates passive radiative cooling with air-layer insulation (PRC-AL).
  • Results show that the PRC-AL composite envelope structure reduces indoor air temperatures by 16.16-30.81% compared to traditional insulation structures.
  • The application of the PRC-AL composite envelope structure leads to significant reductions in annual cumulative cooling load per unit area: 1617.69 kWh/m² in Harbin, 1359.49 kWh/m² in Tianjin, 1135.25 kWh/m² in Shanghai, 994.97 kWh/m² in Guiyang, and 918.70 kWh/m² in Guangzhou.
  • The study suggests that the proposed PRC-AL composite envelope structure offers an efficient pathway for energy conservation in data centers.
  • Rong Gao, Weijin Sun, Yuxin Hao, Zhonglu He, Chunmei Guo, Xi Chen, and Chong Meng are the authors of the study.
  • The study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Statistics:

  • Indoor air temperatures are reduced by 16.16-30.81% with the PRC-AL composite envelope structure.
  • Annual cumulative cooling load per unit area is reduced by:

+ 1617.69 kWh/m² in Harbin

+ 1359.49 kWh/m² in Tianjin

+ 1135.25 kWh/m² in Shanghai

+ 994.97 kWh/m² in Guiyang

+ 918.70 kWh/m² in Guangzhou

Sources:

  • Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Effects of Passive Radiative Cooling-Air Layer Composite Envelope Structure on Building Energy Consumption for Data Center Rooms. Energies, 2025,18(19):5176.
  • NewsRx. Tianjin Chengjian University Researchers Publish New Study Findings on Data Centers (Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Effects of Passive Radiative Cooling-Air Layer Composite Envelope Structure on Building Energy Consumption for ...). Information Technology Newsweekly. October 28, 2025; p 984.

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