Data Centre Energy Efficiency Operating for Optimisation Robert M Pe / Sept. 20, 2012 National Energy Efficiency Conference Singapore
Introduction
Agenda Introduction Overview of Data Centres DC Operational Practices Findings Recommendations 3
Introduction
What s Driving Energy and Sustainability in Data Centres? Soaring Fuel Prices Climate Change Social-Economic Pressure Expected Government Legislation Going Green is a Financial Win for Organisations 5
Overview of Data Centres
Hallmarks of a Green Data Center Metrics will include whole building performance, including water use and source energy reporting Carbon footprint reduction strategies Demand for high temperature server operation will continue, changing the way data centers are designed Based on industry design criteria and best practices Designed using rigorous whole-building energy modeling Optimization of energy and water use Life cycle approach used in decision making Thorough and transparent reporting of energy use 7
Singapore s Climate and the Data Centre DCs require mechanical cooling all year round ASHRAE RECOMMENDED OPERATING RANGE CLASS A1 Limited use of free cooling requires extensive dehumidification 8
Data Centre Energy Usage Emergency generator Utility transformer Every 1 Watt of IT Load requires 0.7 Watt for Cooling! = Main power 9 House power House panels Data center PP-Gen service Misc. power Generator block Heaters & lighting Lighting panel Lighting, Exit lights, BMS, EPMS & security Misc. support Main service IT power In (+) (+) UPS STS PDUs RPPs Power To IT IT-critical load IT LOAD Mech. support Mech. power Mech. Swgear Data center CRAC units, AHUs, Chillers & Dry coolers Singapore DC Average Energy Usage in decreasing order : 1. IT Load - ~51% 2. Mechanical systems - 37% 3. Electrical systems - 12% Mechanical systems consumption Influenced heavily by climate and operating practices
DC Operational Practices Findings
Singapore DC Operating Environment - Temperature Environmental Control - data centres are colder than required Primary attributing factors: Use of return air temperature control and uneven airflow distribution Legacy design and under floor obstructions Service level contract requirements Mindset of colder is better Poor air management practices Energy Usage Impact: Higher energy demand from cooling systems 11 61% operating 21 o C or lower
Data Centre Cooling - Cooling Capacity vs Cooling Load Overcapacity Primary attributing factors: Poor air management practices Redundant units in operation due to availability requirements Over buffering Energy Usage Impact! Higher energy demand from cooling systems fans (fans, compressors plus additional cooling load from fan motors heat) Majority of sites has double the combined cooling capacity of AHUs in operation versus IT cooling load (200% or more) 12
Design and Air Management Practices 13 Results shows AM practices implementation is lacking! Air Management Practice No. of Sites % of Total Row Arrangement Hot Aisle Cold Aisle (DBP) 10 45.4% Legacy Front to Back 3 13.6% Mixed Legacy and Hot Aisle Cold Aisle 9 41.0% Method of Air Return Ceiling Plenum (DBP) 5 22.7% Room Return - No Extended ducts 14 63.7% Room Return Extended Ducts (DBP) 3 13.6% Cable Cut-out Sealing and Un-needed Openings (Ideal BP=100%) From 75% to 100% 10 45.4% From 25% to 75% 4 18.2% Less than 25% 8 36.4% Use of Blanking Panels in racks ( Ideal BP = 100%) From 75% to 100% 8 36.4% From 25% to 75% 5 22.7% Less than 25% 9 40.9% Where DBP Design best practices BP operational best practices
Staff Capability Staff Capability No. of Sites % of Total In-house operations/facility support personnel are technically 5 22% proficient in energy management and can implement programs. In-house operations/facility support are aware of energy management best practices with some technical proficiency to implement energy management programs with 3rd party assistance In-house operations/facility support not technically proficient and totally reliant on 3rd party for assistance to implement energy management programs 12 55% 5 23% Only 22% of sites are capable of implementing energy management and conservation programs without outside help! 14
Operational Capability to Track Energy Usage Operational Capability and Practice No. of Sites % of Total Use of Digital Power Monitors and Energy Demand Meters in Data Centre Facility Complete ( Main board, Sub-Distribution and Distribution) 5 23% Partial Use (e.g. sub distribution and distribution only,etc) 10 45% Minimal ( only upstream for billing purpose) 7 32% Monitoring, Recording and Trending of Energy Consumption Extensive recording and monitoring (usage and demand tracking) 3 13 % Tracked and Recorded for Utility billing purpose only 14 64 % No tracking at all 5 23 % Similarly only 13% of the sites are actually tracking and trending their energy usage! 15
Recommendations for Improvement
Recommendations for Improvement Right sizing and operating based on needs! Extensive application of good air management practices ( i.e. aisle containment, blanking panels, sealing of cable cut-outs, CFD analysis, etc.) Mindset Change - Operating at the Upper range of the ASHRAE recommended range (24 o C to 27 o C) Incorporation of power monitoring and demand meters across primary power consuming systems to track, record and manage energy usage Increase technical knowledge via training on DC best practices for both IT and facility personnel Training of key staff and operation personnel to implement of energy management and conservation programs for the DC 17
Recommendations for Improvement Proper forecasting of IT load and over the data centre life cycle (DC Roadmap and strategy) Engagement of specialist design consultants who are: Experienced and knowledgeable in data centre design best practices Understand IT equipment characteristics & requirements and are fully conversant with good air management practices. Use of simulation and analysis tools in the design stage (energy and TCO analysis, computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis & modeling) Proper site selection sites with attributes that enables implementation of best practices and proper layout Design configuration should match business availability requirements (i.e. redundancy configuration) 18
Q & A Any questions please email to me : robert-m_pe@hp.com
Thank You!