AC vs. DC in Data Centers - Is Power Infrastructure Changing?

Plants don’t have lungs. So why do they need fans? When we think about greenhouses, we usually think about sunlight, temperature, water, and nutrients. But there is another factor that is easy to overlook: air movement. In this episode of AIRSTREAM Insights, we explore why airflow matters in greenhouse cultivation and what happens when the air inside a greenhouse stops moving. Produced and owned by ZIEHL-ABEGG SE, Germany. Information regarding data protection: Privacy Policy | ZIEHL-ABEGG Germany

European pig farming is entering a new era. As regulation, energy costs and environmental requirements reshape the industry, competitiveness increasingly depends on getting more from existing capacity. In this episode of AIRSTREAM Insights, discover how digitalisation, modern ventilation and system efficiency are changing investment priorities, and why the farms of the future will focus on performance, not simply size. Produced and owned by ZIEHL-ABEGG SE, Germany. Information regarding data protection: Privacy Policy | ZIEHL-ABEGG Germany

What happens when a trade show stops putting products first and starts with the question: What problem are you trying to solve? In this episode of AIRSTREAM Insights, we take a closer look at the new ZIEHL-ABEGG Chillventa concept in Nuremberg and the idea behind its application-focused approach. From building comfort and data centers to cold chain and industrial cooling, we explore how different applications create very different demands on airflow, from energy efficiency and acoustics to reliability, product protection, and durability. Because the same fan technology can face completely different engineering challenges depending on where it is used. See you at Chillventa, Hall 7 | Booth 111+112​! Produced and owned by ZIEHL-ABEGG SE, Germany. Information regarding data protection: Privacy Policy | ZIEHL-ABEGG Germany

Housing Fan vs. Free-Running Fan What happens after a fan moves the air? That question can make the difference between a fan that performs exactly as expected and one whose real-world performance falls short. In this episode of AIRSTREAM Insights, we explore the engineering difference between housing fans and free-running fans and why the impeller is only part of the story. The key question is simple: Is the airflow managed inside the fan, or by the system around it? Listen to the latest episode of AIRSTREAM Insights and discover why understanding the complete airflow path matters. Produced and owned by ZIEHL-ABEGG SE, Germany. Information regarding data protection: Privacy Policy | ZIEHL-ABEGG Germany

If direct-drive EC fans are more efficient, more controllable, and easier to maintain, why are belt-driven centrifugal fans still being installed today? In this episode of AIRSTREAM Insights, we trace the complete evolution of fan technology and explore why economics, infrastructure, and maintenance practices can be just as influential as engineering performance. Produced and owned by ZIEHL-ABEGG SE, Germany. Information regarding data protection: Privacy Policy | ZIEHL-ABEGG Germany

For decades, alternating current has been the backbone of data center infrastructure. But with AI workloads pushing rack power to unprecedented levels, a new question is emerging: Is direct current making a comeback? In this episode of AIRSTREAM Insights, we explore why AC and DC are back at the center of engineering discussions. Learn how power conversion affects efficiency, heat generation, cooling requirements, and why many next-generation data centers are adopting hybrid power architectures instead of choosing one technology over the other. Whether you're working with hyperscale facilities, AI clusters, or industrial infrastructure, this episode explains where DC offers real advantages, where AC remains the better choice, and why the future of power distribution is driven by system engineering, not by replacing one technology with another. Produced and owned by ZIEHL-ABEGG SE, Germany. Information regarding data protection: Privacy Policy | ZIEHL-ABEGG Germany

A blast chiller does far more than cool food. It protects quality, ensures food safety, and plays a crucial role in reducing energy consumption. In this episode of AIRSTREAM Insights, we explore why airflow is one of the most important yet often overlooked factors in professional refrigeration. Discover how rapid chilling helps prevent microbiological risks, why uniform air distribution matters, and how EC technology and smart controls are transforming commercial kitchens and food processing facilities. From HACCP requirements and digital traceability to the latest European sustainability regulations, learn why modern blast chillers are evolving into intelligent systems where airflow, efficiency, and food safety work together to deliver consistent, reliable results. Produced and owned by ZIEHL-ABEGG SE, Germany. Information regarding data protection: Privacy Policy | ZIEHL-ABEGG Germany

Adding another fan sounds like an easy way to increase airflow. But in reality, parallel fans don't simply add their performance, they interact. In this episode of AIRSTREAM Insights, we explain why two fans can sometimes deliver far less than expected, how shared system resistance changes the operating point, and why load balancing is essential for stable, efficient operation. You'll also learn why parallel fan arrangements are the foundation of many N+1 redundancy concepts used in data centers and industrial ventilation. If you want to dive deeper into redundancy strategies, be sure to listen to our companion episode "N+1 Redundancy Explained - Why One Extra Fan Can Save an Entire System." Whether you're designing new installations, upgrading existing systems, or simply curious about the physics behind multi-fan operation, this episode reveals why successful parallel operation is about engineering the system, not just adding more fans. Produced and owned by ZIEHL-ABEGG SE, Germany. Information regarding data protection: Privacy Policy | ZIEHL-ABEGG Germany

In this episode of AIRSTREAM Insights, we break down one of the most important concepts in mission-critical ventilation: N+1 redundancy. Discover why redundancy is often confused with oversizing, what really happens when a fan fails, and how load sharing, control strategies, and system design determine whether a backup actually works when it matters most. From data centers to industrial facilities, learn how resilient ventilation systems are engineered to keep air moving, even when individual components don't. Because true redundancy isn't about having more equipment. It's about designing systems that keep performing when failure becomes reality. Produced and owned by ZIEHL-ABEGG SE, Germany. Information regarding data protection: Privacy Policy | ZIEHL-ABEGG Germany

Every fan vibrates. The real question is: when does vibration become dangerous? In this episode of AIRSTREAM Insights, we dive into one of the most underestimated risks in ventilation engineering: resonance and critical vibration behavior. Why can a perfectly balanced fan suddenly become unstable? How do natural frequencies amplify vibrations inside real installations? And why are resonance zones often invisible until serious damage occurs? From RMS values and structural frequencies to automated speed scans and Active Vibration Management, this episode explains how modern ventilation systems detect and avoid critical operating states before failures happen. You’ll also learn how integrated vibration monitoring transforms commissioning, predictive maintenance, and long-term system reliability - without external sensors or complex measurement setups. Because vibrations are normal. Uncontrolled resonance is not. Produced and owned by ZIEHL-ABEGG SE, Germany. Information regarding data protection: Privacy Policy | ZIEHL-ABEGG Germany