Glaswegian start-up Katrick Technologies has developed a new heat removal system that it claims could significantly reduce the energy consumption of data centres.

The system has been designed to use a data centre’s operational heat energy to power its cooling system. The technology uses bi-fluids to convert heat energy into fluid vibrations, which in turn move specially designed fins that remove heat, creating a cooling effect. Katrick Technologies states the system is designed to replace energy intensive condensers in data centres.

The system has recently been put to the test following a partnership between Katrick Technologies and cloud computing and IT managed services business iomart. The technology was installed at iomart’s Glasgow data centre in October this year, and tests were performed on the facility’s passive cooling system.

According to Katrick Technologies, results so far are good, with initial feedback showing encouraging results after the first stage of testing.

“These tests show Katrick’s passive cooling system could reduce a data centre’s total energy consumption by up to 25%,” explained Vijay Madlani, Co-CEO of Katrick Technologies.

“Innovation is essential in the fight against climate change, and these test results clearly show a major step forward in reducing the environmental impact of not just one data centre, but of the whole industry.”

Reece Donovan, Chief Executive Officer of iomart, added, “Data centres are essential to a more connected, digital future, but the environmental impact of the sector is something the industry has to come to terms with. Through projects like this, we are able to play an active role in taking steps towards a greener future for the tech industry.

 “We have already seen the potential impact of this technology at our Glasgow data centre and will now look at what next steps are open to us.”