Kakao expanded heat-management methods accumulated at its own data centres to a leased data centre and cut cooling power costs by about 23 percent from a year earlier.

Kakao said on Sept. 22 it reduced energy use at a data centre in Hanam, Gyeonggi province, which it operates under contract, by adjusting operating methods without replacing existing cooling equipment.

The improvement adjusted computer room cooling temperatures and chiller chilled-water temperatures to match actual operating data. Kakao said a comparison reflecting server usage and outdoor conditions showed cooling power costs fell about 23 percent from a year earlier.

Kakao applied energy management experience accumulated at its self-operated Kakao Data Center Ansan to the Hanam data centre. In Ansan, it applied cooling equipment optimisation, improved air-conditioning operations, improved power equipment efficiency and solar self-consumption, cutting 4,753 tCO2eq of greenhouse gases last year.

LG CNS also took part in the Hanam data centre efficiency work. Kakao presented energy-saving measures, and LG CNS adjusted operating methods for key cooling equipment such as fan wall units and chillers while checking stability step by step.

Some computer rooms also applied an artificial intelligence agent developed by LG CNS. It automatically controls cooling equipment by analysing computer room conditions and equipment operation data in real time.

Kakao plans to expand a method that improves energy efficiency using only operating data and cooling control at leased data centres where it is difficult to replace equipment, based on this case.

An LG CNS official said it was a case that applied both operation efficiency improvements of existing equipment and AI-based autonomous cooling operation technology while prioritising data centre operating stability.

A Kakao official said the company confirmed it can improve energy efficiency based on operating data even in environments where equipment replacement is limited. The official stressed it will expand environmentally friendly data centre operations based on technical capabilities and on-site cooperation.