sustainability in tech

The Coolgradient Platform

Today, the Coolgradient platform is used worldwide by various data centers. But how exactly does the platform work? “We use all data points from chillers, cooling towers, IACs, CRACs, CRAHs, UPSs, and PDUs used within the data center. We then use this data to better understand the data center. For example, we look at different conditions and determine the best settings based on them. We use machine learning to automatically generate this. The goal is to reduce the data center’s power and water usage and increase its reliability and resilience.”

 

One thing must be noted according to De Vries: Coolgradient is not a dashboard company. “Insights alone are useless if no concrete action follows. You need to know what to do to improve your efficiency. That’s why our platform’s AI focuses on 1) automatically detecting optimizations, and 2) automatically translating them into the right solutions for your specific data center. These are then presented as recommendations, and the platform provides quantifications. This last step is necessary so people immediately know what the solution is.”

 

Fruitpunch AI Challenge

To highlight the opportunities AI offers for gaining insights from data and acting upon it, Coolgradient has set up a collaboration with FruitPunch AI. This organization offers an online platform where AI for good challenges are provided. But how did this collaboration come about? De Vries explains, “We started talking with Sako Arts, CTO of FruitPunch AI, about collaborating to set up a challenge. The goal is to create broader awareness for sustainability within data centers. Additionally, we want to increase awareness within the market itself.”

 

According to De Vries, making a data center more sustainable can be done without expensive CAPEX. He paints a picture of data centers that traditionally replace a ten-year-old chiller with a newer version for sustainability. “Such a chiller costs about €400,000 each, and you already need around 10 on your roof. That costs an enormous amount of money, while you can already make significant steps in sustainability with the (sensor) data you have.”

 

The challenge AI For Greener Data Centers focuses on showing how AI can be effectively deployed within data centers, using various Machine Learning techniques such as Reinforcement Learning, to accelerate the implementation of an automated operating system.

 

This article was originally published by the Dutch Data Center Association and can be found here.

team photo

Coolgradient makes data centers intelligent by converting existing data into actionable recommendations and improved visibility, delivering increased reliability and improved sustainability by reducing data center infrastructure energy by up to 40%. Coolgradient achieves these superior results by capturing interdependencies between all operational assets from the mechanical and electrical infrastructure in data centers rather than focusing on isolated assets. This holistic view makes Coolgradient the solution of choice for globally leading clients such as Digital Realty.

Data centers were responsible for 2% of global electricity consumption in 2022, which is expected to increase. By 2030, they are expected to use an average of 3.2% of global electricity consumption, with some countries’ estimations being as high as 6% (US) or even 32% (Ireland) by 2026. As their numbers grow, their CO2 emissions and water consumption also continue to rise. However, due to the vast amounts of variables involved in data center operations and the shifting data and energy demands, data center operators currently have limited ability to find the optimal energy and water settings at any given time.

4impact capital now joins Coolgradient as a software-specialized investor to support the experienced team in scaling its business internationally. The team around Jasper de Vries and René Gompel have decades of experience in data-driven optimisations for industrial applications. Through their existing work with large clients, they have built and optimized best-in-class AI models that can work universally.

As the data center market is expected to boom over the next decades, Coolgradient is set to become a vital cog in the global computing space.

Victor Straatman, Partner of 4impact says “The unrivaled expertise of Jasper, Rene, and their team of people in Amsterdam and across the world make them the obvious choice for many of the world’s leading data center operators. The need for and benefit of their product is crystal clear. As they become a key component of operating this critical infrastructure globally, we are proud to play a part in Coolgradient’s journey of reducing 1% of all global energy used for data center cooling while delivering meaningful cost and resource savings to customers.”

Jasper de Vries, Co-Founder and CPO of Coolgradient, adds, “We are thrilled to have 4impact join our mission for a more sustainable digital infrastructure. They share our passion, and this investment reflects their commitment to seizing the momentum for our product. This will enable further global expansion and increase the impact we create for our customers.”

 

About Coolgradient

Coolgradient, founded by Jasper de Vries and René Gompel in 2023, aims to reduce 1% of global energy consumed by cooling data centers. Their innovative solution converts every data center into an intelligent facility, covering all infrastructure from roof-to-room. The platform merges existing data with distinct AI models to simplify and optimize increasingly complex data center operations. With their approach, they have achieved remarkable results, such as up to 40% in energy and water savings, increased reliability and resilience, compliance with sustainability regulations, and improved employee productivity.

 

Contact: Rene Gompel, rene.gompel@coolgradient.com

 

About 4Impact

4impact capital is a prominent early-stage impact investor in European digital startups. 4impact capital supports passionate founders dedicated to advancing sustainability and creating measurable change, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of Planet and People. Currently, 4impact capital is investing from its second fund, which they anticipate to close later this year. 4impact plans to invest in around 25 companies that capitalize on the massive opportunity at the intersection of digitization and sustainability in Europe, focusing on the Benelux, DACH, and Nordics regions.

 

Contact: connect@4impact.vc

The two companies will collaborate to apply synthetic data generation and advanced machine learning in physically constrained environments that involve complex interactions. Data centers, for instance, where the behavior of hundreds of assets follows the laws of physics and continuously influences each other, are examples of such environments.  

This research aims to promote the wider adoption of synthetic data generation in similar industrial domains. The expected benefits include a better understanding of complex interactions and reduced reliance on available data. As data is a prerequisite for intelligent resource management in industrial domains, the advantages will enable broader adoption of AI-based optimizations. For data centers, this will reduce energy and water consumption and increase reliability and overall sustainability. 

 “We are excited about this collaboration with Syntho and the support from Provincie Noord-Holland to accelerate the region as an innovation hub for AI. This research enables us to make an even bigger (environmental) impact for our customers.” Jasper De Vries, CPO, and co-founder of Coolgradient. 

I see a great synergy in the expertise from Coolgradient and Syntho, we are very much looking forward to this collaboration. Together, we’re paving the way for a more sustainable and data-driven future.” Simon Brouwer, CTO and co-founder of Syntho.

 

About Syntho

Syntho is an Amsterdam-based company revolutionizing the tech industry with AI Synthetic Data. As the leading provider of synthetic data software, Syntho’s mission is to empower businesses worldwide to generate and leverage high-quality Synthetic Data at scale. Syntho’s synthetization approaches include AI-generated, smart de-identification, and test data management.

 

About Coolgradient

Coolgradient transforms any data center into an intelligent facility, from roof-to-room. We combine existing data with our AI models to simplify and optimize increasingly complex data center operations. We have proven results of 20% average annual energy and water savings, increased reliability and resiliency, compliancy to sustainability regulation and improved employee productivity.

Coolgradient, a pioneer in transforming data centers into intelligent data centers, proudly announces the reception of the highly esteemed Impact Award from the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands at the NLinNY event. Co-founder and CEO Rene Gompel accepted the award during a ceremony in the City of Dreams, New York, recognizing Coolgradient’s exceptional efforts in reducing the energy impact of data centers.

 

Rene Gompel highlighted the critical role of digital infrastructure in our daily lives, emphasizing the increasing challenges to deliver reliable and sustainable data centers. He stated, “Constraints on the energy grid infrastructure, higher energy costs, skilled labor shortages, and increasing regulations mean data centers need to innovate.” Gompel continued, “Our platform uses the power of AI to convert operational complexity into more efficient data-driven operations, increasing sustainability and improving reliability.”

 

Expressing gratitude for the prestigious Impact Award, Gompel acknowledged the Ministry of Economic Affairs recognition. He praised his team, stating, “I am proud of the Coolgradient team who is delivering on our mission to make the data center industry more sustainable.”

 

ScaleNL

The ScaleNL Accelerator program, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, chose Coolgradient as one of the top 10 companies for the 2023 US East Coast ScaleNL accelerator program. This program focuses on facilitating the success of companies in the US market, providing a bridge between their Netherlands strategy and a tailored strategy for the American market.

 

Sustainable data centers

Coolgradient’s SaaS platform harnesses AI (Artificial Intelligence) to optimize data centers, enhancing reliability, reducing energy consumption, and boosting employee productivity. The platform seamlessly integrates existing facilities’ infrastructure data, eliminating the need for additional hardware. With a focus on continuous optimization, Coolgradient empowers teams to convert millions of data points from mission-critical infrastructure into actionable insights.

To date, Coolgradient has saved clients more than 14,000MWh (14GWh!) with its AI platform. The company also offers advisory services to assist data center operations teams in achieving energy savings quickly while reducing operational risk.

 

Contact us to learn how Coolgradient can help make your data center more sustainable and reliable.

 

Stay cool, work smart!

Only 10 could make it, and Coolgradient is one of them! We’re very proud to announce that Coolgradient has been selected for the 2023 US East Coast edition of the ScaleNL Accelerator program after a thorough selection process.

 

This accelerator program is supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It focuses on bridging the gap for companies between their Netherlands strategy and new strategy explicitly catered for success in the US market.

 

The selection was based on current Dutch and European success and the potential for growth in the US market. Another confirmation of the customer value Coolgradient delivers and the potential to make a global impact.

 

Participating in this program will contribute to our existing growth in the US market.

 

Read more about it here:

 

ScaleNL – 10 Dutch startups scaling to the US East coast in 2023 with ScaleNL Accelerator

AI powered DC management software - Coolgradient

‘Nationale Coalitie Duurzame Digitalisering’ roept overheid op tot integrale aanpak duurzame digitalisering

  • Nationale aanpak moet Nederland internationaal koploper duurzame digitalisering maken
  • Nieuwe coalitie wil langetermijnvisie en kortermijnactie om duurzamer te digitaliseren
  • Integrale aanpak moet oplossing bieden voor versnipperd overheidsbeleid op het raakvlak van de twee grote transities van digitalisering en verduurzaming.

 

Amsterdam, 18 oktober 2022 – De ‘Nationale Coalitie Duurzame Digitalisering’ (NCDD) biedt minister Adriaansens (EZK) vandaag een manifest aan dat aanzet tot het maken van een integrale aanpak voor duurzame digitalisering. Door het  ontwikkelen en toepassen van digitale technologieën en data, met oog voor het inpassen van digitale infrastructuur en het bestrijden van klimaatverandering, andere negatieve milieueffecten en impact op grondstoffen, moet Nederland internationaal duurzaam digitaal koploper worden. De coalitie van ruim 70 organisaties wil hiervoor samen met overheid, bedrijfsleven, kennisinstellingen en inwoners, bestaande kansen verzilveren, knelpunten oplossen en een routekaart ontwikkelen. Zo moet de transitie naar een duurzame digitale infrastructuur worden versneld en de ecologische footprint van ons digitale systeem worden geminimaliseerd.

De nieuwe coalitie komt voort uit het Amsterdam Economic Board initiatief ‘LEAP’. Samen met ECP | Platform voor de Informatiesamenleving en de Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Alliance (SDIA) wordt in publiek-private samenwerking verder gewerkt aan de fundamenten van Nederland als internationaal duurzaam digitaal koploper.

 

Knelpunten en aanbevelingen bij duurzame digitalisering

De coalitie identificeert zes knelpunten en beveelt oplossingen aan. Deze moeten de basis vormen voor een ‘Routekaart Duurzame Digitalisering’. Zo is er momenteel sprake van incoherent en versnipperd overheidsbeleid, een gebrek aan cijfers om integraal op te sturen, gebrekkige wetgeving, versnipperde kennisontwikkeling en innovatie, en ontbreekt het aan een eerlijk Europees speelveld.
Om deze knelpunten op te lossen draagt de coalitie aanbevelingen aan:

  • Eenduidig eigenaarschap in de vorm van één coördinerend ministerie
  • Meer op data sturen om inzicht te krijgen om de optimale afwegingen te maken op het raakvlak van digitalisering en duurzaamheid
  • Aanpassing nodig van (bestaande) (transitie)wet- regelgeving die ervoor zorgen dat duurzame keuzes vanzelfsprekend gemaakt worden
  • Een kennisoffensief dat zorgt voor tools, kennis en mensen
  • Zal toegang tot innovatie laagdrempeliger moeten worden, met een focus op integratie van het energiesysteem en digitale systeem, met speciale aandacht voor software, hardware en dataverwerking
  • Ook zal Nederland nog zichtbaarder moeten worden in het Europese gesprek over duurzame digitalisering.

“De klok tikt door. Digitalisering is een essentieel onderdeel van verduurzaming en de digitalisering moet ook duurzaam zijn. Onze coalitie weet als geen ander welke kansen er zijn, maar ook welke knelpunten we moeten oplossen. Dat kunnen we niet zonder deze regering. Het is tijd voor collectieve daadkracht.”, aldus Eske van Egerschot-Montoya Martinez, Kwartiermaker van de Nationale Coalitie Duurzame Digitalisering.

 

Verduurzaming digitalisering essentieel in behouden koppositie Nederland

Digitalisering speelt een belangrijke rol in het ontwikkelen van economische veerkracht en weerbaarheid. Nu en in de toekomst. Daarnaast vormt het een sleutel in het versnellen van economische en ecologische verduurzaming. Waar Nederland momenteel een vierde positie in de EU-kopgroep bekleedt, moet het verder verduurzamen van digitalisering deze positie voor de toekomst veiligstellen en verder uitbouwen.

“De digitale sector is de afgelopen jaren heel actief en succesvol geweest op het thema duurzaamheid. We hebben grote efficiencyverbeteringen laten zien op het gebied van energie en grondstoffen. Om dat in de toekomst te blijven doen, moeten we een tandje bijschakelen en samenwerken met de hele keten. De nieuwe coalitie gaat ons daarbij helpen”, aldus Lotte de Bruijn, directeur NLdigital.

 

Over de NCDD

De NCDD (Nationale Coalitie Duurzame Digitalisering) komt voort uit het Amsterdam Economic Boardinitiatief ‘LEAP’. Samen met ECP | Platform voor de Informatiesamenleving en de Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Alliance (SDIA) werken zij, in een publiek-private coalitie van ruim 70 organisaties vanuit overheid, bedrijfsleven, kennisinstellingen en inwoners, aan de fundamenten van Nederland als internationaal duurzaam digitaal koploper.