Uncovering energy-efficiency opportunities in data centers
by H. F. Hamann
T. G. van Kessel
M. Iyengar
J.-Y. Chung
W. Hirt
M. A. Schappert
A. Claassen
J. M. Cook
W. Min
Y. Amemiya
V. López
J. A. Lacey
and M. O’Boyle
The combination of rapidly increasing energy use of data centers
(DCs), which is triggered by dramatic increases in IT (information
technology) demands, and increases in energy costs and limited
energy supplies has made the energy efficiency of DCs a central
concern from both a cost and a sustainability perspective. This
paper describes three important technology components that
address the energy consumption in DCs. First, we present a mobile
measurement technology (MMT) for optimizing the space and
energy efficiency of DCs. The technology encompasses the
interworking of an advanced metrology technique for rapid data
collection at high spatial resolution and measurement-driven
modeling techniques, enabling optimal adjustments of a DC
environment within a target thermal envelope. Specific example
data demonstrating the effectiveness of MMT is shown. Second,
the static MMT measurements obtained at high spatial resolution
are complemented by and integrated with a real-time sensor
network. The requirements and suitable architectures for wired and
wireless sensor solutions are discussed. Third, an energy and
thermal model analysis for a DC is presented that exploits both the
high-spatial-resolution (but static) MMT data and the high-time-resolved
(but sparse) sensor data. The combination of these two
data types (static and dynamic), in conjunction with innovative
modeling techniques, provides the basis for extending the MMT
concept toward an interactive energy management solution.
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