1 Motivation

1.1 Metrics

The PUE is the main metric of energy efficiency in a data centre environment:

The minimum value of the PUE is theoretically 1. Ideally we want to reduce the PUE to as low a figure as possible.

The PUE does not take account of how efficient our IT loads are.

1.2 Options

Reducing energy costs requires a consistent across-the board approach to reducing both the IT and non-IT power loads, subsection 1.

Best to take advantage of easy wins, avoid diminishing returns.

2 Reducing IT power

2.1 Hardware

• Turning off (and removing) unused / zombie servers.
• Apply available power management settings on server hardware.
• Replace hardware like-for-like with newer energy-efficient equipment

2.2 Consolidation

1. Using a smaller number of servers to provide required services
2. Replacement of multiple physical servers with virtual servers on fewer energy-efficient physical hosts.
3. Use of containers and other technologies to provide a “halfway house” between running multiple services on one server vs full virtualisation.

2.3 Migration

Depending on business needs, certain workloads may be better served by migrating them to virtual servers provisioned on a cloud environment.

3 Equipment replacement

Infrastructure equipment replacement carries high capital costs. Seek:

• UPS with optimised efficiency.
• Cooling system with optimal COP, EER metrics.

These calculations would need to consider the characteristics of the equipment in varying conditions: e.g. part-load and seasonal.

4 Containment

See [Rasmussen, 2017] for full details.

4.1 Air mixing

There are two key air streams in a data centre:

Cold supply air

from the CRAC / CRAH unit outlet on way to inlets of servers.

Hot return air

from servers and other IT equipement exhaust outlets to inlets of CRAC/CRAHs.

We want servers to get coldest possible air. Therefore all air should come from the cooling unit. There should be no “leakage” of hot air back to the inlets of servers.

Cooling units work best if they take in the hottest air in the room and cool it down. The greater the differential between the hot return air and the ambient temperature, the better the cooling performance will be. Efficiency seriously hampered if CRACs pull in already cold air.

4.2 Supply / return methods

Flooded

air is supplied / removed from the room.

Targeted

air is supplied / removed within 3 m the inlet / exhaust of the IT equipment.

Contained

supply / return systems completely enclose the relevant airflow to prevent mixing supply and return air streams.

Containment is possible in both raised-floor and solid-floor environments.

4.3 Hot / cold aisle

As a minimum, we must be using hot / cold aisle arrangements, regardless of how small our data centre environment is!

A commonly encountered example is the targeted supply from raised floor with flooded return to CRAC as seen in subsection 3.

4.4 Hot aisle containment

4.5 Cold aisle containment

5 Economisation

Economisation aims to reduce the number of hours the refrigeration system must be in operation. There are many ways to do this, with the principal methods detailed in Niemann et al. [2011].

Some common configurations often seen in smaller environments are:

5.1 Direct airside economisation

Direct airside economisation is normally found in conjunction with Air-Cooled DX CRACs but can be employed with any cooling system. The idea is simple: when the outdoor air is cold enough, it is blown directly into the data centre.

• Simple solution with no additional plumbing needed.

Key requirements are:

• Outdoor air must be free of dust and pollutants.
• Outdoor air should be of suitable humidity.
• CRAC must be positioned to permit ducting to outside.

5.2 Glycol/Water-based DX free cooling

Glycol-cooled DX and Water-cooled DX CRACs can have an additional coil fitted within the case. When the ambient temperature outside is low enough, the compressor can be shut down and a diverter valve sends water from the dry cooler / cooling tower outdoors to the economiser coil.

• Does not require CRAC to be near outside wall.
• Outdoor air not introduced to data centre environment:
  • Maintains air quality
  • Easier to manage humidity in most cases

5.3 Chiller bypass

References