System and method for predicting transient cooling performance for a data center

1. A computer-implemented method for evaluating transient cooling performance of a data center, the method comprising:

receiving input data from a storage device, the input data including data center architecture information and operating data;

performing real-time transient cooling performance calculations for the data center using the input data, the real-time transient cooling performance calculations include calculating a rate of change of at least one predicted temperature in the data center during a power outage of the data center; and

displaying results of the real-time transient cooling performance calculations in a data center management system, wherein the results include a maximum predicted temperature of the data center following the power outage of the data center.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the results include a graphical representation of data center temperature verses time for a time period following the power outage of the data center.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

comparing the maximum predicted temperature of the data center with a threshold to obtain a comparison result; and

controlling at least one device in the data center based on the comparison result.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising

comparing the maximum predicted temperature of the data center with a threshold to obtain a comparison result;

altering design parameters of the data center based on the comparison result; and

performing a second iteration of real-time transient cooling performance calculations using the altered design parameters.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

detecting a change in at least one cooling parameter in the data center; and

performing a second iteration of real-time transient cooling performance calculations using the at least one cooling parameter.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

comparing the maximum predicted temperature of the data center with a threshold to obtain a comparison result; and

providing a warning to an operator based on the comparison result.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein performing real-time transient cooling performance calculations for the data center includes developing a set of energy balance and heat transfer linear equations for the data center based on the input data, and generating a symbolic expression for each of a plurality of temperature variables in the set of energy balance linear equations.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , wherein the data center includes at least one uninterruptible power supply, and wherein the method includes altering a connection of cooling equipment to the uninterruptible power supply based on the comparison result.

9. A system for evaluating transient cooling performance of a data center, the system comprising:

a storage device;

a display;

a controller coupled to the storage device and the display and configured to:

receive input data from the storage device, the input data including data center architecture information and operating data;

perform real-time transient cooling performance calculations for the data center using the input data, the real-time transient cooling performance calculations include calculating a rate of change of at least one predicted temperature in the data center during a power outage of the data center; and

control the display to display results of the real-time transient cooling performance calculations in a data center management system, wherein the results include a maximum predicted temperature of the data center following the power outage of the data center.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the results include a graphical representation of data center temperature verses time for a time period following the power outage of the data center.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to:

compare the maximum predicted temperature of the data center with a threshold to obtain a comparison result; and

control at least one device in the data center based on the comparison result.

12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to:

compare the maximum predicted temperature of the data center with a threshold to obtain a comparison result;

alter design parameters of the data center based on the comparison result; and

perform a second iteration of real-time transient cooling performance calculations using the altered design parameters.

13. The system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to:

detect a change in at least one cooling parameter in the data center; and

perform a second iteration of real-time transient cooling performance calculations using the at least one cooling parameter.

14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to:

compare the maximum predicted temperature of the data center with a threshold to obtain a comparison result; and

provide a warning to an operator based on the comparison result.

15. The system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to perform real-time transient cooling performance calculations for the data center by developing a set of energy balance and heat transfer linear equations for the data center based on the input data, and generating a symbolic expression for each of a plurality of temperature variables in the set of energy balance linear equations.

16. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon sequences of instruction including instructions that will cause a processor to:

receive input data regarding a layout of a data center and cooling systems contained in the data center;

store the input data;

perform real-time transient cooling performance calculations for the data center using the input data, the real-time transient cooling performance calculations include calculating a rate of change of at least one predicted temperature in the data center during a power outage of the data center; and

control a display to display results of the real-time transient cooling performance calculations in a data center management system, wherein the results include a maximum predicted temperature of the data center following the power outage of the data center.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the sequences of instruction further include instructions that will cause the processor to determine a maximum temperature of the data center following a power outage.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the sequences of instruction further include instructions that will cause the processor to:

compare the maximum predicted temperature of the data center with a threshold to obtain a comparison result; and

control at least one device in the data center based on the comparison result.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the sequences of instruction further include instructions that will cause the processor to:

compare the maximum predicted temperature of the data center with a threshold to obtain a comparison result;

alter design parameters of the data center based on the comparison result; and

perform a second iteration of real-time transient cooling performance calculations using the altered design parameters.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the sequences of instruction further include instructions that will cause the processor to compare the maximum predicted temperature of the data center with a threshold to obtain a comparison result, and provide a warning to an operator based on the comparison result.