How JD’s Self‑Built Data Center Achieves Ultra‑Low Energy Use and High Reliability

Similar to Baidu’s data center in Shanxi, JD built its first self‑owned data center in founder Liu Qiangdong’s hometown, Suqian, Jiangsu. Named JD Cloud East China Data Center, it spans nearly 60,000 m², costs ¥3 billion, and supports 200,000 servers, ≥32 EB storage, and ≥1.28 × 10¹⁸ operations per second.

Cooling System Technological Innovation

Data center cooling accounts for 20‑40% of total energy, with compressors consuming 70‑90% of that. JD reduces this by leveraging natural cold sources through a free‑cooling system, using the region’s mild climate (‑5 °C to 35 °C) and abundant water.

The free‑cooling system employs a water‑to‑water stainless‑steel plate heat exchanger parallel to chillers. Supply water is set at 10 °C, adjustable to improve efficiency and extend natural cooling periods. When outdoor average temperature stays below 10 °C for five consecutive days, the system switches to free cooling; it reverts when temperatures rise above 10 °C.

JD’s enhanced free‑cooling adds a self‑designed climate‑environment acquisition and control system, termed “smooth continuous adjustment” free‑cooling, which continuously optimizes component operation based on indoor/outdoor temperature, humidity, and load, maintaining optimal efficiency and saving millions of yuan in electricity.

Cooling System

The center uses three‑stage centrifugal chillers with variable‑frequency water pumps and towers, achieving 8‑10% energy savings versus units without economizers. The chilled‑water loop operates at 10‑16 °C, with N+1 redundancy, ring‑type piping, dual‑valve design, and a 15‑minute standby cold tank.

Precision air‑conditioning (UPS + grid) supplies all rooms, with N+1 configuration and delayed start to avoid grid impact.

High‑Reliability Technical Guarantees

Power reliability is ensured by a dedicated 110 kV switch station fed by two independent 220 kV lines, with two transformers providing full load capacity; if one fails, the other sustains operations.

UPS systems (2N for critical rooms, N+1 for others) supply all IT equipment, backed by diesel generators and battery banks (≥15 min). Diesel generators can run >12 h without external fuel, with redundant PLC‑controlled fuel systems.

Non‑crystalline alloy transformers reduce no‑load loss by 65‑70%, improving efficiency.

Intelligent Lighting System

Distributed smart lighting controls activate lights upon occupancy detection and dim to minimal levels when rooms are empty, enhancing energy savings.

Experimental Technological Innovations – 6σ CFD Simulation

Using 6σ CFD airflow simulation, JD models temperature distribution and airflow within modules, enabling temperature‑aware cooling strategies and planning for further energy‑saving technologies in Phase 2.

Author: JDTech