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The control room at Kakao’s Hanam data center. / Courtesy of Kakao

Kakao is expanding energy management technologies developed at its own data centers to leased facilities. By changing how cooling systems are operated without replacing or expanding equipment, the company cut cooling power costs by about 23%. It has also introduced AI-based autonomous cooling control in some server rooms.

Kakao said on Sept. 22 that it reduced cooling power costs at a data center in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, operated by LG CNS by about 23% year on year by adjusting server room temperatures and chilled-water temperatures.

The figure takes into account server utilization and outdoor weather conditions, and the company said service operations were not disrupted even during record-breaking heat.

The improvements drew on thermal management experience accumulated at Kakao Data Center Ansan. Kakao proposed energy-saving measures, while LG CNS gradually adjusted the operation of cooling equipment, including precision air-conditioning units and chillers.

A key feature was that power consumption was reduced by changing operating conditions for existing equipment without installing new facilities.

LG CNS’ AI agent was also deployed in some server rooms. It analyzes environmental conditions and equipment operation data in real time and automatically controls cooling systems to reduce electricity consumption.

Kakao has previously applied measures at its own Ansan data center, including improvements to cooling and air-conditioning operations, greater efficiency in power equipment and the self-consumption of solar power.

The company’s total greenhouse gas reductions last year amounted to 4,753 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

“We confirmed that energy efficiency can be improved based on operational data even in environments where equipment replacement is limited,” a Kakao official said.

“We will continue expanding environmentally friendly data center operations by combining Kakao’s technological capabilities with on-site collaboration.”

                                                                                                          Lee Seo-yeon