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Media O2 , discusses the company ’ s work with EkkoSense and the business benefits the solution has provided .
Can you tell us about your role and the scope of your responsibility ?
As Director of Service Platform Strategy and Engineering , I am responsible for our core network , including all aspects of planning and design , transformation and evolution to a new 5G core .
How does cooling technology enable improved temperature control as well as providing network efficiencies ?
Cooling technology is pivotal to the effective operation of our data centres and core network sites . In fact , it ’ s the third most important factor behind IT and power . Without the correct cooling configuration , we would need to restrict the operating limits for our data centres – which can add thermal risk , increasing the likelihood of service outages .
The new EkkoSense software uses smart sensors fitted to our data centre equipment to monitor exactly how much cooling each site needs at any one time , and report back on how to optimise cooling as demand changes . Meeting our exact cooling demands means our network is using energy in a more efficient way .
What was the driving factor behind O2 ’ s decision to overhaul its data centres and core network sites with cooling equipment ?
Keeping customers connected is our number one priority , but that cannot be at the expense of the environment . Data centre cooling is a prime example : as we carry more data , we know we need to evolve our network to use energy in a smarter way – and this was the driving factor behind the upgrade .
Investing in upgrading our network not only allows us to meet customer demand , it will also help us hit our efficiency targets – as we head towards net zero by 2025 .
Why did you decide to work with EkkoSense on this occasion ?
We looked at several different toolsets in the marketplace but chose EkkoSense because its team offered us the flexibility to work together with it to develop a product that was tailored to our needs . The result is a powerful monitoring , 3D visualisation and analytics platform that tracks our data centre estate cooling infrastructure performance in real time and enables us to use only the energy we need to when meeting our cooling requirements . It ’ s also intuitive and easy for our operations team to use .
How important is this move for the smooth running of O2 ’ s mobile network ?
Demand for data on our network continues to grow year on year , so upgrading our data centres and core network sites is crucial . We continuously invest in updating the facilities that host our network ; so that rather than adding more and more kit , we are reviewing exactly what we need to keep meeting customer demand while still minimising our energy usage .
The move to introduce EkkoSense has not only helped us make sure each site operates as efficiently as possible , it also helps identify any issues and prevents overcooling or overheating – so we can keep our network running seamlessly in line with customer demand .
How will your investment in this technology help to create future efficiencies for O2 ?
The initial efficiencies this tech provides us are through power reduction and site optimisation . Any time we reduce energy use at our network sites , it has a direct impact on our energy efficiency – which means we consume less energy for each unit of data that our network transmits .
The new EkkoSense software is expected to deliver energy savings equivalent to 1 million kg of CO 2 year on year .
There may also be further efficiencies across the technical estate as we roll the technology out . For example , the software has provided operational benefits through early visibility of potential thermal anomalies .
We are also introducing Cold Aisle Containment , which – working alongside the EkkoSense software – will allow us to drive further efficiencies in the future .
What powerful optimisation capabilities has this technology enabled for your data centre team ?
Introducing the new technology and working closely with the EkkoSense team has enabled us to deliver cooling optimisation right across our estate – saving energy and minimising thermal risk . This has , in turn , allowed the ‘ release ’ of critical capacity on site .
Ongoing thermal monitoring will also allow our dedicated data centre teams to respond to any issues quicker and more effectively , with insight to help prevent similar issues occurring in the future . ◊ www . intelligentdatacentres . com
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