CASE73 · Data centers · Cooling-tower temperature reset
Balancing chiller and tower electricity through condenser-water temperature reset
Cooling-tower leaving-water temperature is reviewed as a controllable plant variable. Lower water temperature can reduce chiller lift while increasing tower fan energy.
01 · CASE ANALYSIS
Optimize the combined plant
The source evaluates cooling-tower temperature control as an improvement alternative. A fixed low setpoint is not automatically the lowest-energy choice.
Compare chiller, condenser-water pump and tower fan electricity while maintaining required cooling service.
02 · CASE ANALYSIS
Separate approach and range
Tower approach is leaving-water temperature minus outdoor wet-bulb temperature. Range is entering-water temperature minus leaving-water temperature.
These measurements address different questions: closeness to the wet-bulb condition and the water-side temperature drop. Evaluate them at comparable load, water flow and fan operation.
| Metric | Definition |
|---|---|
| Approach | Leaving water − outdoor wet-bulb temperature |
| Range | Entering water − leaving water |
| Plant electricity | Chiller + relevant pumps + tower fans |
03 · CASE ANALYSIS
Test load- and weather-dependent reset
Develop feasible setpoint bands using equipment limits and measured performance. Trial changes in small steps and monitor chiller stability and tower power.
Climate determines attainable water temperature, but approach, equipment condition and hydraulic distribution also matter.
04 · CASE ANALYSIS
Make the result attributable
Use matched heat load and weather or an adjusted plant baseline. Do not count chiller savings without the tower/pump response.
CASE73 is an alternative and economics review. The source does not report an isolated implemented saving or a universal optimum water temperature.
| Check | Reason |
|---|---|
| Wet-bulb and load | Fair comparison |
| Fan power and speed | Tower penalty |
| Chiller operating limits | Feasible setpoint |
| Total plant kWh | Net saving boundary |
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