Employing Thermal Zones for Energy Optimization in Data Centers

Author(s):  
Srinivas Yarlanki ◽  
Rajarshi Das ◽  
Hendrik Hamann ◽  
Vanessa Lopez ◽  
Andrew Stepanchuk

Energy consumption has become a critical issue for data centers, triggered by the rise in energy costs, volatility in the supply and demand of energy and the wide spread proliferation of power-hungry information technology (IT) equipment. Since nearly half the energy consumed in a data center (DC) goes towards cooling, much of the efforts in minimizing energy consumption in DCs have focused on improving the efficiency of cooling strategies by optimally provisioning the cooling power to match the heat dissipation in the entire DC. However, at a more granular level within the DC, the large range of heat densities of today’s IT equipment makes this task of provisioning cooling power at the level of individual computer room air conditioning (CRAC) units much more challenging. In this work, we employ utility functions to present a principled and flexible method for determining the optimal settings of CRACs for joint management of power and temperature objectives at a more granular level within a DC. Such provisioning of cooling power to match the heat generated at a local level requires the knowledge of thermal zones — the region of DC space cooled by a specific CRAC. We show how thermal zones can be constructed for arbitrary settings of CRACs using the potential flow theory. As a case study, we apply our methodology in a 10,000 sq. ft commercial DC using actual measured conditions and evaluate the usefulness of the method by quantifying possible energy savings in this DC.

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3.4) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
T Suresh ◽  
Dr A. Murugan

In all types of data center, keeping the right temperature with less cost and energy is one of important objective as energy saving is crucial in increased data driven industry. Energy saving is global focus for all industry. In Information technology, more than 60% of energy is utilized in data centers as it needs to be up and running. As per Avocent data center issue study, across globe more than 54% of data centers are in redesigning process to improve their efficiency and reduce operational cost and energy consumption. Data center managers and operators major challenge was how to maintain the temperature of servers with less power and energy. When the densities of data center energy nearing 5 kilowatts (kW) per cabinet, organizations are trying to find a way to manage the heat through latest technologies. Power usage per square can be reduced by incorporating liquid-cooling devices instead of increasing airflow volume. This is especially important in a data center with a typical under-floor cooling system. This research paper uses Rear-Door Heat eXchangers (RDHx) and cool logic solutions to reduce energy consumption. It gives result of implementation of Cold Logik and RDHx solution to Data center and proves that how it saves energy and power. Data center has optimized space, cooling, power and operational cost by implementing RDHx technology. This will enable to add more servers without increasing the space and reduce cooling and power cost. It also saves Data center space from heat dissipation from servers.  


Recycling ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Alessio Quintili ◽  
Beatrice Castellani

Municipal solid waste collection and transport are functional activities in waste management, with a significant energy and carbon footprint and a significant effect on the urban environment. An issue related to municipal solid waste collection and transport is their regional and municipal implementation, affected by sorting and recycling strategies at local level. An efficient collection is necessary to optimize the whole recycling process. The present paper shows the results of an energy, environmental, and economic evaluation of a case study, analyzing the fleet used for municipal solid waste collection and transport in 10 municipalities in Central Italy. The current scenario was compared with alternative scenarios on the basis of some parameters for performance evaluation: vehicles’ energy consumption, carbon footprint, routes, and costs. Results show that for passenger cars, the alternative scenario based on an entire fleet of dual compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles led to a reduction of the CO2 emissions (−2675 kgCO2eq) in the analyzed period (January–August 2019) and a reduction of the energy consumption (−1.96 MJ km−1). An entire fleet of CNG vehicles led to an increase of CO2 emissions: +0.02 kgCO2eqkgwaste−1 (+110%) for compactors (35–75 q) and +0.09 kgCO2eqkgwaste−1 (+377%) for compactors (80–180 q). Moreover, both categories report a higher fuel consumption and specific energy consumption. For waste transport high-capacity vehicles, we propose the installation of a Stop-Start System, which leads to environmental and energy benefits (a saving of 38,332 kgCO2eq and 8.8 × 10−7 MJ km−1kgwaste−1). On three-wheeler vehicles, the installation of the Stop-Start System is completely disadvantageous.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 03-17
Author(s):  
Gazal Dandia ◽  
◽  
Pratheek Sudhakaran ◽  
Chaitali Basu ◽  
◽  
...  

Introduction: High energy consumption by buildings is a great threat to the environment and one of the major causes of climate change. With a population of 1.4 billion people and one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, India is extremely vital for the future of global energy markets. The energy demand for construction activities continues to rise and it is responsible for over one-third of global final energy consumption. Currently, buildings in India account for 35% of total energy consumption and the value is growing by 8% annually. Around 11% of total energy consumption are attributed to the commercial sector. Energy-efficient retrofitting of the built environments created in recent decades is a pressing urban challenge. Presently, most energy-efficient retrofit projects focus mainly on the engineering aspects. In this paper, we evaluate various retrofitting options, such as passive architectural interventions, active technological interventions, or a combination of both, to create the optimum result for the selected building. Methods: Based on a literature study and case examples, we identified various energy-efficient retrofit measures, and then examined and evaluated those as applied to the case study of Awas Bhawan (Rajasthan Housing Board Headquarters), Jaipur, India. For the evaluation, we developed a simulation model using EQuest for each energy measure and calculated the resultant energy savings. Then, based on the cost of implementation and the cost of energy saved, we calculated the payback period. Finally, an optimum retrofit solution was formulated with account for the payback period and ease of installation. Results and discussion: The detailed analysis of various energy-efficient retrofit measures as applied to the case study indicates that the most feasible options for retrofit resulting in optimum energy savings with short payback periods include passive architecture measures and equipment upgrades.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011.21 (0) ◽  
pp. 248-251
Author(s):  
Ari YOSHII ◽  
Yosuke UDAGAWA ◽  
Masahide YANAGI ◽  
Shisei WARAGAI ◽  
Keigo MATSUO ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 567-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge S. Carlos ◽  
Helena Corvacho

A study on thermal retrofit of Portuguese elementary school buildings is presented. The type of school under analysis is one adopted by a large construction campaign that began in the 1940's. This building stock has a very poor thermal performance and their retrofit was evaluated starting with a case study of a school in the central region of Portugal, where some experimental measures were performed and a calculation method was applied for the heating energy consumption estimation. A solution for the thermal retrofit of the school building external envelope was optimized and the effect on heating energy consumption was evaluated, using ECOTECT, resulting in a reduction of 52% of heating energy needs. The national impact of the thermal retrofit of the whole building stock was characterised in terms of energy savings. Finally, the pre‐heating of the ventilation air was also tested as a complementary measure and its effect evaluated. The solution tested may provide up to 1000 kWh/year of extra heat gains by pre‐heating the ventilation air. It must be underlined though that the performance of these systems is dependent on the thermal properties of their components so higher reductions can be achieved with the improvement of these properties. Santrauka Straipsnyje pateikiami Portugalijos pradines mokyklos šiluminio atnaujinimo tyrimai. Analizuojamos mokyklos tipas yra vienas iš taikytu po 1940 metu prasidejusioje plačioje statybos kampanijoje. Šios pastatu grupes šilumines charakteristikos yra labai prastos. Ju atnaujinimo vertinimas buvo pradetas nuo centrineje Portugalijoje esančios mokyklos, kurioje buvo igyvendintos kai kurios eksperimentines priemones, ir energijos sanaudoms nustatyti pritaikytas skaičiavimo metodas. Pastato išoriniu atitvaru šiluminio atnaujinimo sprendimas buvo optimizuotas ir jo itaka šilumines energijos sanaudoms nustatyta naudojant ECOTECT. Šilumines energijos poreikis sumažejo 52 %. Iš viso pastatu fondo šiluminio atnaujinimo itaka nacionaliniu mastu vertinta sutaupytos energijos kiekiu. Pabaigoje kaip papildoma priemone buvo išbandytas pirminis vedinamo oro pašildymas, nustatytas jo naudingumas. Išbandytasis pirminis vedinamo oro pašildymas gali suteikti iki 1000 kWh/metus papildomo išsiskiriančio šilumos kiekio. Pabrežtina, kad nors šiu sistemu veikimo charakteristikos priklauso nuo ju komponentu šiluminiu savybiu, gerinant šias savybes galima daugiau sumažinti energijos sanaudu.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 13168
Author(s):  
Ziortza Egiluz ◽  
Jesús Cuadrado ◽  
Andoni Kortazar ◽  
Ignacio Marcos

The increasing energy consumption levels of buildings within Europe call for controlled consumption and improvements to energy savings and efficiency and effective energy efficiency regulations. However, many aging and energy-inefficient buildings require energetic retrofitting that can employ various façades solutions and insulation materials. The selection of the most sustainable options in each situation therefore requires a decision-making methodology that can be used to prioritize available retrofit solutions based on economic, functional, environmental and social criteria. In this paper, both the methodology and the economic basis of the retrofitting process are presented. The methodology was validated in a case study, and a sensitivity analysis also demonstrated its validity, robustness and stability


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 395-402
Author(s):  
Milan Perný ◽  
Vladimír Šály ◽  
Milan Andráš ◽  
Lukáš Valášek ◽  
Juraj Packa

Reducing the electricity consumption is a current trend which has an economic, social and environmental impact. Measures which are outlined to increase efficiency are also supported by legislation and could be funded from the national or European funds in EU countries. In Slovakia, there are many establishments, public buildings and households built in past decades where energy is being wasted. Approximately the share one third of the consumed energy in Slovakia belongs to industry. This statistic naturally legitimizes the effort to achieve energy savings in this segment. We choose a body which is in use partially as commercial offices and partially as production facility. The matter was to identify areas with excessive energy consumption and propose appropriate measures to avoid unnecessary losses. The paper presents more aspects of building operation regarding of energy consumption, especially in relation with old buildings with more structural and operational defects and propose some ways of the improvements the energy efficiency. The work also includes experimental data and simplified economy considerations related to the proposed measures. Finally the step model is presented in order to simplify the decision making process. The model is relevant and also applicable generally for the other engineering disciplines.


2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenio Capra ◽  
Paolo Cremonesi ◽  
Chiara Francalanci ◽  
Francesco Merlo ◽  
Nicola Parolini

Researches on green data centers have defined guidelines and end-to-end methodologies to increase energy efficiency. Most of these approaches require a disrupting reengineering of the infrastructure and significant upfront investments. Smaller data centers need to reach green objectives with a more incremental approach. The EnergIT project proposes a methodology and related tools that support the incremental redesign of data centers toward greater energy efficiency based on three main levers: 1) physical repositioning of servers to optimize air flow circulation and cooling, enabling higher set temperatures of the cooling system; 2) replacement of server models; and 3) virtualization. This paper describes the approach and provides evidence on the effectiveness of the methodology by showing how the combined effect of the three levers has led to 62% reduction of energy consumption in a real case study.


Author(s):  
Dan Comperchio ◽  
Sameer Behere

Data centers are expensive to build and operate. Large data centers cost $9–13/W to build [1] and can consume more than forty times, and up to over two hundred times, the amount of energy and resources consumed by a typical building [2], [3]. Therefore, space and energy considerations need to be accounted for when evaluating competing designs for high-performance computing (HPC) installations. This paper describes the results of an incremental cost and energy savings analysis conducted using data collected from a real-world case study to evaluate the impacts of efficient resource planning and implementing a total cost of ownership (TCO) model in the analysis of IT equipment and systems. The analysis presented demonstrates the advantages of using the latest technologies and IT strategies when planning the growth of new HPC installations at an enterprise level. The data also indicates an efficient design can significantly reduce the space, power, and cooling requirements of the HPC deployment while maintaining the performance and reliability criteria.


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