by Ali Kriscenski
Data centers are critical to business operations, security, and continuity. This technology is designed with optimal environmental conditions in mind to protect equipment, devices, and controls. However, maintaining these conditions can create high energy loads for electricity, lighting, and cooling. This article looks at how to maximize energy efficiency with sustainable data center cooling solutions.
Data Centers and Reliability
Today, most businesses rely on either internal or external data centers. Website platforms, real estate listings, Google searches, and many more convenient information requests all perform because of data centers. Certain industries like banking, healthcare, and government entities, are subject to regulatory requirements for data center management. In these instances, maintaining data center reliability is crucial to industry compliance.
Data centers house the equipment that supports business operations including data storage and distribution. Made up of routers, firewalls, servers, and controllers, data centers require energy to run and create thermal energy as equipment is cooled through fans and exhaust. This energy flow creates a dynamic environment that requires highly calibrated design and settings to control temperature and humidity. A data center’s environmental conditions have a direct correlation to equipment performance: avoiding overheating and condensation will minimize defaults and disruption.
Focus on Sustainability
At the close of 2023, there were 10,978 data centers worldwide. These facilities used enough electricity to power 6,482,400 average American homes. From a climate perspective, data centers generate between 1-5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, the data center industry continues to grow and create demand for energy and natural resources. These statistics are driving trends towards more industry-focused environmental regulation.
Aside from regulations, a focus on sustainability can make good business sense as a way to create energy-efficient strategies for long-term financial viability. A greener data center focus can contribute to larger corporate goals related to decarbonization and other climate-oriented initiatives. Fortunately, there are several decades of research and innovation that can inform your data center sustainability solutions.
Use Renewable Energy
There are two ways to secure renewable energy for your facility. You can procure renewable energy credits (RECs) through the utility grid. This creates demand for renewable energy and creates a method to track renewable energy sources. RECs will provide information on the renewable fuel type, origin, and emissions data of the renewable energy facility. Another option to use renewable energy is to install systems on-site or nearby. Solar, geothermal, or fuel cell technology are all viable options for onsite renewable energy production.
Reduce Waste
Reducing waste at your data center can include diverting materials from landfills, including ecycle programs for electronic waste. It can also be focused on construction methods, such as prefabrication, that utilize efficient processes. Another waste reduction strategy is to capture exhaust and thermal energy created by the data center and use it for energy production.
Manage Equipment Lifecycle
There has been a growing interest in the circular economy and its relationship to IT. In principle, circularity promotes a reuse and recycle outlook for materials and goods. In data centers, this approach can be applied to system components that can be reused or refurbished to extend their life cycles.
Utilize DCIM
Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) is a tool for organizing the many facets of data center management. A DCIM system can help your team track environmental conditions, equipment mapping, energy sourcing, and efficiency. As a central data resource, DCIM can identify energy use patterns and inform facility managers to improve efficiency and performance.
Future Forward Thinking
The data center industry will continue to grow and create demand for energy and natural resources. The industry has an opportunity to innovate and share knowledge that can improve energy and resource efficiency and create a sustainable path. As customers, regulations, and investors increasingly demand environmentally conscious growth, the incentive for sustainably oriented practices is rapidly growing.
Creating efficient, sustainable data centers requires teamwork from a range of technical experts. Therma’s team of professionals can provide comprehensive planning and design services to help you achieve your data center cooling requirements within a sustainable framework.
AUTHOR BIO
Ali Kriscenski was trained in high-performance building design at Boston Architectural College. She has worked with leading architecture and construction firms in NYC and New England and served on the executive team at the Forest Stewardship Council International. She was the managing editor at Inhabitat and has worked pro bono for the Green Building Institute, ISEAL Alliance, and Habitat for Humanity.
Sources
KPMG – Going Green: Data Centres
Data Centre Magazine – Energy Efficiency Predictions for Data Centers in 2023
