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EDITOR’S QUESTION
MARC GARNER, VICE PRESIDENT,
SECURE POWER DIVISION, SCHNEIDER
ELECTRIC UK AND IRELAND
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hen seeking to become more eco-friendly, there are a
number of key areas that today’s data centre owners and
operators must consider. These include the design of the
facility, its power source, choice of UPS and cooling solution, and use
of management software, which is an essential piece of the puzzle.
Cloud-based DCIM software
Data centre management software allows for better visibility
into power, cooling and IT loads, while enabling greater levels of
automation to take place within today’s facilities.
However, it’s important to highlight that without a software or
monitoring solution in place, it’s near impossible for businesses to
find out what strain the current IT load is putting on the existing
infrastructure, or indeed what their energy usage might be.
If an organisation already utilises a cloud-based data centre
infrastructure management (DCIM) solution – like Schneider
Electric’s EcoStruxure IT, which offers greater levels of visibility and
insight than older legacy platforms – the user can make real-time,
data-driven decisions that could significantly lower cost. In many
cases using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to
predict and anticipate changes within the facility.
Data centre design
Another consideration is that of the IT requirement and data centre
design. Does the capacity utilisation meet the demands currently
placed upon it by the business and should more be needed, is there
room to scale both cost-effectively and efficiently?
If the answer is no and the organisation needs to add capacity
quickly, prefabricated power, cooling and IT modules present an
option for predictable, efficient and rapid deployment; allowing the
user to specify exactly what’s required, rather than over provisioning
the data centre.
Cooling configuration
Other than the IT load, the cooling solution will often account for
a high proportion of energy use. Therefore, should an option for
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free cooling be available, a company may choose to utilise this to
become more eco-friendly. If a different approach is required, they
might consider hot-aisle containment, InRow or liquid cooling based
on the greatest opportunity for a lower PUE and better ROI in terms
of reduced energy costs.
Power and UPS
When choosing the power requirement, another consideration may
be the desired CSR or sustainability objectives. A good example may
be the company’s choice to utilise only renewable energy sources.
When it comes to power, a UPS is of course an absolute necessity
and should a company be looking to take advantage of the latest
technological advancements, they may opt for Lithium-ion (Li-Ion)
batteries over valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) cells.
Research from Schneider Electric’s Data Centre Science Centre found
that over a 10-year period, Li-ion delivered a lower TCO that was
between 10% and 40% less than an equivalent UPS system based
on VRLA.
From a sustainability perspective, Li-ion batteries do not contain
hazardous chemical materials and are increasingly easier to recycle,
as waste-management operators become more familiar with the
specific procedures needed to handle large format systems. n
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