[Edaily Reporter Lee So-Hyun ] Kakao(035720)has reduced its electricity costs by approximately 23% compared to the same period last year by improving its data center cooling operations without replacing or expanding existing equipment. The company has expanded the thermal management expertise it has accumulated at its own data centers to leased data centers and has also applied artificial intelligence (AI)-based autonomous cooling control technology to some server rooms.

Kakao announced on the 22nd that it had reduced cooling electricity costs while maintaining service stability by optimizing cooling temperatures and chilled water temperatures from chillers at its outsourced data center in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province.

These improvements were achieved by adjusting the operating parameters of existing equipment, without replacing or expanding the cooling systems.

Kakao analyzed actual operational data and on-site conditions to optimize the server room cooling temperature and the chilled water temperature of the chillers. By taking server usage and outdoor air conditions into account, the company reduced cooling electricity costs by approximately 23% compared to the same period last year.

Expanding Thermal Management Know-How Gained in Ansan to Leased Data Centers

This project leveraged the energy management experience accumulated at Kakao’s in-house data center, the “Kakao Data Center Ansan.”

At the Ansan Data Center, Kakao has implemented measures such as optimizing cooling equipment, improving HVAC operations, enhancing the efficiency of power facilities, and self-consumption of solar power.

The company explained that these efforts resulted in a total reduction of 4,753 tCO₂eq of greenhouse gases last year. Based on the Ministry of Environment’s average vehicle emissions and the average mileage of commercial vehicles, this is equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions produced by approximately 3,400 passenger cars over the course of a year.

Kakao has expanded the scope of its energy efficiency efforts by applying this data-driven thermal management approach not only to its own facilities but also to leased data centers.

Autonomous Cooling Control via LG Corp. AI Agent

A collaboration with LG Corp. was also established. Kakao proposed energy-saving measures, and LG Corp. gradually adjusted the operating parameters of key cooling equipment—such as constant temperature and humidity units (FWUs) and chillers—based on its data center operational experience and on-site equipment operation know-how.

An AI agent developed by LG Corp. was also implemented in some server rooms. This system analyzes server room environmental and equipment operation data in real time and autonomously controls cooling equipment to reduce energy consumption while maintaining operational stability.

An LG Corp. official stated, “This is a case where we prioritized data center operational stability while simultaneously optimizing the efficiency of existing equipment and applying AI-based autonomous cooling technology,” adding, “We will continue to support our customers in improving energy efficiency based on our data center operational expertise and AI technology.”

A Kakao spokesperson said, “We applied the thermal management know-how based on data accumulated at the Kakao Ansan Data Center to our leased data centers, reducing cooling electricity costs by approximately 23 percent.” They added, “Since we have confirmed that energy efficiency can be improved based on operational data even in environments where equipment replacement is limited, we will continue to expand our eco-friendly data center operations.”