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Data centers have become essential to modern business and, by extension, to modern life. For them to continue to operate, however, they must be placed on a sustainable footing.
Data center operators are, therefore, continually working on developing more energy efficient data centers. Here is an overview of the methods and technologies they are leveraging to improve their sustainability.
Data center operators are using a mixture of design, technology and strategy to create more energy efficient data centers. Here is an overview of their key sustainability measures.
The layout of the building itself can impact how much energy is required for heating, cooling, and lighting. Energy-efficient building designs for data centers incorporate features like improved insulation, natural ventilation, and strategic window placement.
These features reduce the need for artificial lighting and cooling, minimizing energy consumption. LEED-certified buildings, for example, focus on sustainability through the use of energy-efficient materials and design.
Data centers are increasingly adopting renewable energy sources to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. On-site renewable infrastructure and off-site renewable energy agreements help to reduce a data center’s carbon footprint. Renewable energy credits (RECs) can also be used to offset the impact of any carbon-based energy a data center has to use.
Liquid cooling systems use specialized fluids to cool servers more efficiently than air. Liquid absorbs more heat, reducing the energy needed for air conditioners. This method targets specific components and prevents overheating, resulting in less reliance on energy-hungry fans and HVAC systems. In more advanced setups, immersion cooling submerges servers in non-conductive liquids, offering even better heat dissipation.
Hot/cold aisle containment enhances cooling efficiency by separating the intake of cold air from the exhaust of hot air. Servers are positioned in alternating rows, with cold aisles directing cool air to the front and hot aisles directing exhaust away. Physical barriers prevent mixing, ensuring optimal cooling.
This method allows for lower fan speeds and less air conditioning, reducing energy usage by up to 30%. It is a simple yet effective design solution to improve airflow and cooling performance in data centers.
Free cooling leverages outside air or water to cool data centers, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling. Air-side economizers pull in cool external air, while water-side economizers use natural water sources to lower temperatures.
In cooler climates, this technique can almost eliminate the need for traditional cooling systems during certain periods, significantly cutting energy consumption. Even in warmer regions, free cooling can be applied during off-peak hours, contributing to substantial energy savings.
AI systems optimize energy use by monitoring server workloads and making real-time adjustments. They dynamically allocate power and cooling based on need, ensuring no energy is wasted. AI can also predict workloads, proactively adjusting systems to prevent overheating and reduce cooling demand.
By analyzing data patterns, AI helps balance energy distribution more effectively than human operators, leading to better resource management and lower operational costs.
Advanced power management systems (PMS) monitor and adjust energy usage across data centers. These systems can dynamically allocate power based on real-time demand, shutting down idle servers and equipment to prevent energy waste. PMS technologies track power consumption trends, helping operators identify inefficiencies and adjust power distribution.
Modern uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems provide backup power more efficiently than older models. These systems reduce energy losses by improving power conversion during outages or grid power fluctuations.
Newer UPS units also consume less energy when idle, cutting down on unnecessary power usage. Efficient UPS systems ensure that critical infrastructure remains operational during outages while minimizing the energy used in the backup process.
Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software provides real-time monitoring of energy use, environmental conditions, and hardware performance. By analyzing data, operators can identify inefficiencies in power distribution and cooling, then make necessary adjustments. Predictive analytics help plan for future energy needs and improve decision-making regarding infrastructure upgrades or repairs.
DCIM systems optimize energy use by continuously monitoring conditions, allowing operators to make adjustments that reduce waste and improve overall efficiency. This technology is therefore essential for maintaining energy-efficient operations in modern data centers.
Server virtualization consolidates multiple virtual machines onto fewer physical servers, thus reducing hardware requirements and energy consumption. By running many virtual instances on one physical machine, data centers can cut down on the number of servers, lowering the power required for both computing and cooling.
This also improves hardware utilization, allowing operators to scale operations more efficiently without expanding infrastructure. Virtualization is an effective way to reduce energy costs while maintaining the same level of computing power.
Discover how data centers are minimizing their carbon footprint by deploying energy-efficient cooling solutions and equipment, optimizing working practices, and integrating renewable energy sources. Find out how they are further enhancing sustainability by implementing water conservation strategies and minimizing waste output.
Explore sustainable practices in data centers that house hybrid IT infrastructure. Find out how regenerative data centers not only address existing sustainability issues but also actively promote environmental conservation. Learn about the challenges of updating data centers and how they can be addressed.
(Originally published in Data Center Frontier magazine) By: Jenny Gerson, senior director of sustainability, DataBank There’s a lot of confusion about renewable energy use in the data center, what electricity...
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