Sustainability meets innovation: free cooling systems from deutherm
Deutherm continues to write the success story of free cooling. Since March 2024, we have not only been a developer but also a manufacturer of these efficient cooling systems for critical infrastructures.
A crucial step into the future
With the FCB 1200-DC free cooling system and the newly developed FC 4000 controller, we have taken a crucial step into the future. As early as 2020, our company founder Kuno Weiler was already considering taking the production of the systems into his own hands. The aim was to give the company more independence and sustainably increase its market value. Once the final decision had been made, the team was motivated to get to work.
The declared aim of the development department was to optimize the existing, proven quality of the technology used to date and to improve it in such a way that it would be attractive for additional areas of application in addition to the mobile communications industry. The aim was to open up new markets and exploit untapped potential. At the same time, it was important to react flexibly and quickly to the increasing security requirements of users.
Customer feedback is used to specify the requirements profile
As a first step, customer interviews were used to create a precise requirements profile for the new generation of free cooling technology. Important aspects quickly became clear.
Quieter technology would enable new locations in residential areas that could not previously be considered for noise protection reasons. To significantly reduce the noise level, a new generation of more powerful motors was selected, which achieve even better results with lower speed and lower noise emissions. In addition, the interior of the housing was redesigned for optimum noise behavior.
In addition to appliance safety, the demand for tamper and supply security was increasingly addressed. Based on the experience gained during the coronavirus pandemic, the decision was made to produce in Germany and to use certain components exclusively from European manufacturers. The now short supply chains increase punctuality and security against manipulation. Above all, they make sense for environmental protection reasons.
Made in Germany
As the project progressed, renowned partners and suppliers were acquired. For example, deutherm only uses ebm-papst fans and, after initial tests, decided to manufacture the housings in Augsburg.
The biggest challenge was the development of the new FC 4000 controller. The device not only had to enable greatly expanded options for controlling and monitoring large free cooling system networks, but also be intuitive to operate. This is why investments were made in both the control logic and the display design. But security was also the top priority here. The device communicates in encrypted form so that hacker attacks pose no threat. The internal data logging is also recorded on large memories. The new controller sets new standards and is of a quality that is second to none.
Technicians were also asked where improvements could be made to the installation of a system. Good suggestions were taken into account when designing the installation devices.
“We have taken proven technology to a new level,” sums up deutherm Managing Director Michael Krämer, ”we can now also open up completely new areas of application and implement customer-specific special solutions.”
The first interested parties are making enquiries. Data centers, for example, that want to be temperature-controlled with deutherm technology in an environmentally friendly, quiet and safe way. Fiber optic PoP stations and even the fixed network division of Vodafone have already asked for appointments - a promising start for the innovative deutherm technology.
