Installing Cooling at the Metro Entrance of Amsterdam Central Station

Project

A challenging project in a unique location: at the metro entrance of Amsterdam Centraal Station, APAC delivered a new cooling solution for several server rooms and switch rooms.

Background

It has been quite some time since we first received this special request. We were asked whether we could design a cooling solution for several server rooms and switch rooms located in the underground areas of the metro entrance at Amsterdam Central Station.

Naturally, the project started with mapping out the situation on site: two floors down and you find yourself in an open space, standing on a grid above the tram tracks with a view of the platform. It quickly became clear that we were not only facing challenges related to cooling, but also to transportation and logistics.

Our Solution

We chose an indoor air-cooled water chiller. Through a concrete corridor, this machine discharges warm air to the outside. Between the chiller and the indoor cooling equipment, we installed a hydraulic system in the underground spaces.

However, installing this system required some special operations. For example, we drove the chiller on a metro chassis underneath the structure of steel beams on which it had to be placed, and then hoisted it into position. The cooling equipment for the different rooms was also transported using several transport methods to the platform, after which it was lifted through a hatch in the ceiling into the rooms above.

The Result

This project took considerable time, but the result was well worth it. At the end of 2021, we were able to switch off the temporarily installed mobile cooling units. Since then, the new cooling installation has ensured that the equipment in the server and switch rooms continues to operate under optimal conditions.

The client is satisfied, and all colleagues involved have great memories of this special project—a job we will never forget.