Download a copy of Intelligent Energy - Schneider Electric

4 Leveraging the intelligence
of capacity management tools
These tools help to minimise ‘stranded
capacity’ within the data centre, allowing
the maximum amount of IT equipment to be
installed within the gross power and cooling
envelope, pushing the system to the highest
point on its efficiency curve.
5 Instrumentation to monitor
energy consumption
The data centre should be instrumented
to identify and warn about conditions
that generate suboptimal electrical
consumption, so that energy waste
situations can be quickly corrected.
6 Scalable power and
cooling to enable right-sizing
The use of a scalable power and cooling
solution can increase efficiency in smaller
data centres or in data centres that are
early in their life cycles, as well as defer
capital and operating costs until needed.
7 Row-based cooling
Shortening the air flow path via row-based
cooling reduces mixing of hot and cold air
streams, which improves the predictability of
air distribution and improves the efficiency of
delivering cold air to the loads that need it.
8 ‘Free cooling’
This is a common term used to denote a
data centre operating in ‘economiser mode’.
While not truly ‘free’, these technologies
can be very helpful in improving data centre
efficiency in the appropriate geographies.
Cooling economiser systems save energy
by utilising outdoor air during colder months
of the year, allowing mechanical cooling
systems like chillers and compressors to be
shut off or operated at a reduced capacity.
9 High-efficiency UPS
Technologies are now available that
substantially increase the efficiency
obtainable by UPS systems.
10 Variable frequency drives (VFD)
Many electric motor-driven devices in the
data centre operate at full speed even when
the loads they are supporting require less
capacity. Variable frequency drives (VFD)
help to match the output of the fan to the
load. The speed control mechanism in
these devices helps to maximise efficiency.
Both management software and wired and
wireless thermal sensors can help in the
regulation or control of VFD drives.
11 Modular containerised solutions
Existing building structures often limit the
electrical efficiencies that can be achieved
through power and cooling distribution.
Manufacturers can now build modular,
containerised power and cooling modules
that utilise standard power and cooling
components and design them to a specific
power usage effectiveness (PUE) target.
Packaged, shipped, and installed as a
container that plugs into an existing building,
these solutions can rapidly increase
efficiencies within existing data centres.
12 Hot aisle containment
A hot-aisle containment system
(HACS) allows higher work environment
temperatures and increased chilled water
temperatures, which result in increased
economiser hours and significant electrical
cost savings.
Priorities for
execution of
this checklist
will differ
based upon the
characteristics
of the data
centre being
analysed.
1300 369 233 www.SEreply.com Intelligent Energy 13