How to Implement Energy Efficient Data Centers
- 1). Benchmark energy consumption. Benchmarking describes the status of energy consumption at a given point in time. It can be as simplistic as entering utility bill information for the past 12 months into an Excel spreadsheet or as sophisticated as implementing real-time sensors at each outlet to transmit real-time data to a central server employing energy management software. Both methods provide a picture of energy consumption before efficiency projects are implemented.
- 2). Identify areas where energy-efficiency projects will have the most impact. Use the data collected for benchmarking. The data may indicate that a data center has outdated servers that require air temperatures of less than 76 degrees to operate properly. Modern servers allow operations at up to 79 degrees. The two-degree differential can result in significant savings in air-conditioning costs.
- 3). Perform lifecycle cost analysis, specifically, internal rate of return (IRR) to determine real value. IRR is the true return on a proposed capital investment, and looks at cost and savings over the life of a project. For this example, it represents the rate at which the present value of the server upgrades equals the present value of the projected energy cost savings. The proposed project is valuable when savings will exceed initial costs over the lifetime of operation.
- 4). Monitor energy consumption after project implementation. Continue to enter energy-use data into spreadsheets and/or rely on monitoring equipment and software to assess whether efficiency projects result in decreased consumption. Real-time monitoring means adjustments can be made immediately. For example, perhaps benchmarking data indicates that variable air-flow dampers will eliminate hot spots. Monitoring sensors will confirm whether hot spots have been eliminated or reduced.
- 5). Provide incentives to all staff to decrease consumption. Employees at all levels should be invested in decreasing consumption because employee behavior is a key factor in improving efficiency. If IT employees begin to associate energy efficiency along with reliability as their mandate, purchases of more efficient servers may become more routine.