Baylor University and Olssen Optimize Data Centers with Cadence

Data center infrastructure is changing in tandem with the advancements in AI and the densification of IT equipment. For this year’s senior capstone project, the Baylor School of Engineering and Computer Science in Waco, Texas, had its students simulate and optimize a data center mechanical yard layout with air-cooled chillers.

The students first wanted to find relationships between multiple variables, including wind speed, wind direction, chiller orientation, chiller spacing, and spacing relative to the building. With guidance from Olsson as industry advisors, the students learned to use Cadence Reality DC Design, an intuitive, comprehensive data center design and management solution.

The goal was to find optimal spacing and orientation of the chillers for the hottest months of the year, especially for places like Waco, where the temperature can go up to 100°F on a regular basis. The students also considered wind direction. For instance, for places where winds might blow from the south for 99% of the year, the chill yard could be set up such that the south wind is blowing parallel to the building for better performance from the chillers.

The engineering students benefited from the robust features of Cadence Reality DC Design. It allowed them to test different variations of the air chiller orientations or spacing, and to test multiple variables simultaneously, instead of using slower methods.

Dylan Murray, associate mechanical engineer at Olsson, said, “CFD itself is a very complicated software, but the beauty of Cadence Reality DC Design is that it's tailored very well towards the user in this industry, at least in facilities and data center design. So that really lowered the learning curve when trying to impart some of the knowledge that I've built up in the software on these Baylor students, and they were able to pick it up.”

Learn more about how Baylor University and Olsson have optimized data centers with Cadence.

“Designed with Cadence” is a series of videos that showcases creative products and technologies that are accelerating industry innovation using Cadence tools and solutions. For more Designed with Cadence videos, check out the Cadence website and YouTube channel.