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Case Study: Passive Cooling Impact on a 24/7 High-Load Facility

This study evaluates the operational performance and energy reduction of passive cooling strategies applied to a building with continuous thermal loads. Comparable to mid-sized data centers, these measures demonstrate significant potential for sustainable efficiency in high-demand environments.

Project Overview

This case evaluates the impact of passive cooling measures on a building with:

  • Constant internal heat production
  • Large, flat roof surface
  • Cooling systems operating 24/7
  • Continuous year-round operation

The building profile is comparable to a mid-sized data center with the following assumptions:

  • Roof area: 3,000 m²
  • PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness): 1.4 (typical for modern data centers)
  • Energy savings per m²: 0.07–0.105 kWh per day (based on documented case data)

Passive Cooling Approach

Passive roof-based cooling solutions were applied using advanced infrared-reflective coatings to reduce heat gain and mechanical cooling load.

Energy Savings Calculation

Daily Energy Savings: 3,000 m² × 0.07–0.105 kWh/m²

= 210–315 kWh per day

Daily Cost Savings

≈ €63–€95 per day

Annual Savings (365 days continuous operation)

= €23,000–€35,000 per year

  • Savings are achieved purely through passive building cooling, without modifying or upgrading server hardware.
  • The effect is particularly strong in buildings with continuous heat loads and 24/7 cooling demand.
  • Passive cooling reduces mechanical cooling strain, contributing to:
    • Lower operational costs
    • Reduced energy consumption
    • Improved sustainability profile
Key Takeaways
Conclusion

For facilities such as data centers or industrial buildings with constant internal heat loads, passive roof-based cooling solutions can deliver significant and measurable energy savings. This case demonstrates that even without changes to core IT infrastructure, strategic building envelope improvements can generate annual savings of €23,000–€35,000, while supporting long-term energy efficiency goals.

We invite you to reach out for a technical consultation to explore how these solutions can be applied to your high-load facility projects.

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