Improving Data Center Energy Efficiency

Why are data centers important?

Data centers have become the mainstay of virtually all offices. A data center usually comprises of computers, communications equipment, environmental controls such as air conditioning, security devices, and data storage systems. Data centers are not only economically important but also they occupy an important position in terms of contributing to the infrastructure of an organization.

Inefficiency in data centers:

The operation of data centers focuses on faster speed, better storage capacity, and improved services. In all this, the energy efficiency aspect tends to be neglected. This includes energy efficiency of individual equipment as well as finding ways to make the data center itself more compatible with the energy distribution network in the rest of the building.

Improving data center efficiency has many benefits. It primarily promotes organizational efficiency and thereby increases profits. The savings in terms of operating costs improves service quality, increases the value of the data center as an asset, and even improves the overall environment in a workplace. In general, efficient data centers can maximize office productivity.

Improving data center energy efficiency:

A few ways to improve data center energy efficiency are listed as follows:

Equipment: Newer computers and other systems are designed to be faster and more energy intensive than their predecessors. They generate a lot of heat during their working, resulting in increased cooling costs to combat this heat. Newer models of computer chips are being developed to reduce the waste heat output.

Air conditioning: Air conditioning is an often neglected part of the data center. To get the most out of an air conditioning system, it is practical to check the floor layout of a room. The goal of planning a floor layout involves finding the best configuration possible so that the hot air generated remains separate from the cold air being pumped into the room. It is also prudent to check all the air conditioners to see if they are being run at a uniform temperature.

Server configuration: Improperly configuring servers and other power-hungry devices can result in large-scale energy loss. The most energy efficient configuration setting is to run them in the pre-configured economizer mode rather than tinker around with the settings.

Backup systems: Backup power systems are integral to data centers. It is common for offices to overestimate their backup requirements. This leads to the use of over-designed backup systems and UPS (unlimited power supply) devices. Backup systems should be designed to meet the exact power needs of the data center to minimize operating costs.