In order to manage and reduce electricity consumption in the data center, effective programs must identify a baseline level of efficiency to quantify the opportunity for improvement, and then employ energy reduction and optimization strategies.

Efficiency metrics and measurements are an increasingly important aspect of data center management. In a typical data center, less than 30% of the energy consumed ever reaches the IT equipment. Therefore, the optimization of cooling loads while improving stable server environments has the greatest impact on reducing operating costs.

Establishing Real-Time PUE Metrics

Studies show that more than 75% of large data centers have not started to implement the more formal use of energy efficiency metrics in their environments.

In order to optimize energy usage in the data center, operators must first identify their present conditions. The best way to baseline energy efficiency is to establish a Power Utilization Effectiveness ratio (PUE). This is the ratio of total facility power supporting the data center operations to the actual power used by the IT infrastructure. PUE and its reciprocal calculation, the Data Center Infrastructure Efficiency Ratio (DCiE), are universally accepted metrics established by The Green Grid.

Our approach is to find the lowest cost, site specific solution to establishing a PUE. By utilizing existing monitoring and instrumentation points, and integratign web based electrical monitoring equipment, IES is able to provide our customers with an accurate window into data center efficiency.

We recommend a continual approach to PUE monitoring. Trending PUE over time provides a comprehensive picture of efficiency, rather than analyzing snapshots of system performance. Real time web based dashboards of PUE allow data center operators to both quantify the opportunity for efficiency measures, and continually track and test their implementation.

Environmental Monitoring

Once PUE is established, the opportunity for efficiency improvements can be quantified. In order to reduce PUE, the next step is to model the changing environmental conditions. Deploying web based sensors to monitor individual racks of servers provides a level of detail necessary to ensure that the optimal level of cooling is getting to where it needs to be. This level of granular environmetal monitoring includes the development of temperature and humidity maps with web based sensors, which enable the identification of hot and cold spots, in order to optimize airflow. Automated continuous environmental measurement prevents system degradation, insures server function and improves the efficiency of cooling and airflow systems.

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