Data Center Cooling Methods Strongly Linked to Multi-Layered Strategic Planning; Control Engineer Comments on the Landscape

The once-emerging virtual technology of the 1950s and 1960s has undeniably advanced at a rapid pace, especially over the past two decades. However, those who focus solely on technological innovations may overlook that the most significant recent breakthroughs have evolved in close alignment with fundamental and historical principles of Management.

This connection continues to grow stronger, yielding relevant outcomes that allow such advancements to follow more secure and reliable paths within a results-driven management approach—particularly in today’s highly competitive and fast-paced market. A clear example of this increasingly classic relationship is the cooling methods used in data centers. Strategic planning in this area has shown the importance of managing a wide range of potential scenarios within a complex planning environment.

Numbers Behind the Advancements

Discussing these advancements inevitably brings up the impressive figures achieved in 2024. Brazil serves as a prime example, representing one of the largest economies in Latin America, the Southern Hemisphere, and among emerging countries. In this local market alone, a major tech company invested approximately $2 billion USD in upgrades to its data center infrastructure last year.

Globally, the data center market is estimated to have reached nearly $10 trillion USD, marking a nearly 10% increase compared to the previous annual report. This total includes not only structural upgrades but also consulting services provided to public and private institutions worldwide.

Investments in strategic planning have remained a key area of focus for these high-value organizations. In addition to the monetary resources driving this demand, innovation has become a central concept. Participatory management and sustainability are two examples of emerging approaches that now influence this sector.

“The vast majority of data center equipment is not built to operate continuously under high temperatures. These conditions can arise from several factors, especially external ones, which must be carefully considered in complex strategic plans. Two examples include access demand and data overload. If any of these systems were to malfunction due to such factors, it would pose a serious risk to data storage—compromising the very core function of data centers: ensuring the integrity and security of information,” explains Control Engineer Muhammad Tauseef.

As he emphasizes, one of the foundational characteristics of the hardware and software forming modern databases—predating even their widespread popularity—relates to the CIAA principles: Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability, and Authenticity, as commonly referenced by industry specialists.

Professional Background of the Engineer

During his tenure at Nortek Air Solutions (2018–2022) as a Test and Controls Engineer, Tauseef stood out for developing and implementing advanced cooling solutions for large tech firms, particularly Meta’s data centers. He worked extensively with a range of cooling technologies—from conventional systems using coils, cooling towers, and fans, to liquid heat exchangers with membrane-based technology. His expertise in BMS systems (Building Management Systems) focused on HVAC was essential in delivering high-performance solutions for large-scale data center operations.

Prior to his specialization in data centers, Tauseef worked at Hatch Ltd. as a Controls and Automation Engineer, focusing on industrial automation and control system integration. His career began at PPL Oil & Gas, where he developed foundational knowledge in industrial control systems and instrumentation.

Throughout his career, the Canadian engineer has consistently focused on operational excellence and critical infrastructure reliability. His comprehensive knowledge of data center cooling architectures and building management systems has contributed to continuous improvements in system efficiency and reliability.

“These projects are typically based on complex planning but also offer a high degree of dynamic adaptability, without incurring significant time loss—which could be costly in the event of a system failure. Such plans have a forward-looking character. Some of my colleagues refer to them as offensive planning—they’re one step ahead of adaptive planning, which is inherently flexible but more analytical. Offensive planning is tailored to highly dynamic, complex environments and designed to work with multiple future scenarios in a short time span.”

Key Cooling Methods

Two cooling methods are considered key and often top the list in data center operations: Free Cooling and Evaporative Cooling. Below is a summary of each method, both of which are part of Muhammad Tauseef’s technical repertoire. It’s worth noting that, in practice, hybrid models may combine elements from both, along with simpler mechanical solutions.

Free Cooling involves using cold air or water from the external environment to reduce—or even eliminate—the need for mechanical refrigeration systems. This method aims primarily to lower energy consumption and operational costs by taking advantage of favorable environmental conditions.

Evaporative Cooling, on the other hand, utilizes the process of water evaporation to cool the air, offering a cost-effective and efficient thermal control solution. Instead of traditional mechanical refrigeration, this system leverages the heat in the air to evaporate water, resulting in a drop in the temperature of the air entering the physical infrastructure of the data center.

“These systems aim to modernize the entire setup. Additionally, the use of natural resources and reduced energy consumption give them sustainable attributes—something that large-scale projects can no longer ignore. Achieving optimal performance benefits both the organization and its end-users in a highly capable production cycle,” says Tauseef.

Further Innovations: SPLC Development

Among Tauseef’s many accomplishments, while completing his Master’s in Electrical Engineering, he was involved in the development of State Point Liquid Cooling (SPLC) technology for Meta’s data centers during his time at Nortek Air Solutions. This groundbreaking solution used membrane-based evaporative cooling, representing a major advancement in the energy efficiency of data center cooling systems.

He was responsible for the design and implementation of the control and instrumentation systems for this prototype, as well as conducting reliability tests. This pioneering technology demonstrated improved energy performance compared to traditional methods, contributing to more sustainable data center operations.