The amount of energy that the world’s data centres will consume is estimated at between 1,5 and 2,5% of all the energy produced. Data centres are energy guzzlers, says Daniel Doimo, senior VP for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America, APC by Schneider Electric. <\/p>\n
According to Doimo, estimates of the amount of energy that data centres worldwide will consume varies between researchers, but whether it is 1,5 or 2,5%, it is substantial. <\/p>\n
"I believe that this places a huge responsibility on leaders in the industry to find solutions to reduce data centre energy consumption", he said. "We have taken those steps and are able to offer solutions that will achieve between 30 – 40% energy savings."<\/p>\n
As the world increasingly embraces digital technology, bigger and bigger data centres are being built. Designs for new data centres have to include substantial energy savings measures. "An integrated approach is needed. By combining various initiatives, savings of between 30 and 40% over traditional data centre energy consumption are achievable".<\/p>\n
"When designing a data centre, the tendency is to plan for expansion so the amount of power protection that is built in is not initially utilised. However, this ties up capital, is unproductive and consumes energy that could have been saved had the power protection system been scaled to current requirements. With the growth of a data centre, protection systems can be expanded to cater for the additional load. This is where scalable systems are a distinct advantage." <\/p>\n
"Most of the electrical power delivered to the IT loads in a data centre ends up as waste heat that must be removed to prevent over-temperature conditions. Virtually all IT equipment is air-cooled, that is, each piece of IT equipment takes in ambient air and ejects waste heat into its exhaust air. Since a data centre may contain thousands of IT devices, the result is thousands of hot airflow paths within the data centre that together represent the total waste heat output of the data centre; waste heat that must be removed. Room-based cooling is the historical method for accomplishing data centre cooling."<\/p>\n
Doimo says that simulation data and experience show that room-based cooling systems are effective if the average power density is in the order of 1 – 2 kW per rack, translating to 323 – 753 W\/m2. "Unfortunately, the power densities of modern IT equipment are pushing peak power density to 20 kW per rack or more, where it has been shown that room-based cooling dependent on air mixing no longer functions effectively.<\/p>\n
"To address this problem, APC is focusing on row or rack-based cooling. The generated heat is captured at source and exhausted. This means that there is less need to cool the entire area. It makes for better working conditions for the staff and significantly reduces the amount of energy used compared to conventional data centre cooling systems.<\/p>\n
"In temperate climates one would not need environment cooling which could further contribute to the energy savings. Using close- coupled cooling there is also no need for a raised floor – a considerable cost saving when constructing a new data centre".<\/p>\n
Another area of development that enhances the efficient operation of a data centre is control software. "It is now possible to place servers in the most effective position on a rack, and monitor the power and cooling requirements. Remote monitoring and alarm facilities will allow the data centre manager to manage the operation from just about anywhere and give instructions to technicians when a server needs to be moved to another position to cope with the increased load which may require more power and cooling. He can also monitor that his orders have been carried out correctly.<\/p>\n
"When considering expansion of a data centre, it is possible to opt for a hybrid system where the new racks will use close-coupled cooling. This would be particularly advantageous if the current cooling system is already running at its maximum capacity.<\/p>\n
"While implementing a green approach to a data centre, the ultimate business case is for savings on power cost which continue to escalate as world shortages increase."<\/p>\n
APC operates a data centre design centre in St. Louis, USA offering one of a kind hands-on experience with the latest technologies as well as the ability to perform "what if" design scenarios to maximise overall confidence in final selection. "With close-coupled cooling designs, high density containment options and the new power and cooling capacity software, we are well placed to take on the green responsibility that data centre managers and CIOs expect from the industry", Doimo said.<\/p>\n