The balance of human resources and data-led influences is crucial for data centre strategies. Jakub Wolski, Data Centre Strategy and Business Development Leader at Trend Control Systems emphasises the need for a robust system for maintenance and management.
Data centres have become one of the most important resources in our modern world. Humming in the background of our digital economy, they host the critical services we depend upon, from online shopping and social media to cloud computing and analytics. Specifically, data centres house the servers, storage systems and IT equipment needed to process huge amounts of data. But to keep energy-consuming devices running, these facilities frequently gobble up power and generate greenhouse gases.
Data centres and data transmission are each responsible for up to 1.5% of the world’s total electricity use, according to a 2022 report by IEA. Together, data centres and data transmission networks emit nearly 1% of GHG emissions related to energy.
To soften the impact, the UK Government has released its Net Zero Strategy, outlining its approach to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The plan includes a range of policies and initiatives aimed at reducing emissions from all sectors of the UK economy, including energy, transport, industry and buildings.
Meanwhile, to help reduce energy use and emissions, many industries are adopting modern technology such as advanced cooling systems and building controls. These efforts can often also align with global commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible. As a result, data centre owners and operators face immense pressure to boost energy efficiency but they must also keep up with industry trends to be competitive.
New trends, existing challenges
From cloud computing and remote working to the increasing use of AI and machine learning, emerging trends are changing how data centres operate. Remote working, for example, is helping companies save engineering resources and establish smarter ways to connect.
As these trends shape the industry, demand for data centre facilities is also expected to grow due to the ongoing adoption of technologies by various enterprises, including Big Data analytics, cloud computing and IoT, as part of their plans for Digital Transformation.
At the same time, high demand of data processing puts pressure on older data centres. Older data centres, such as those approaching 20 years old, are often less efficient compared to newer designs that enable a high rack density. These ageing facilities may typically require an upgrade to their current infrastructure to release stranded capacity from inefficient equipment.
Similarly, the requirement for low-latency apps has sparked high demand for Edge Computing. Deploying data centres on the Edge makes it possible to process and transmit data closer to its source, which means faster and smoother service for the user. This trend has emerged alongside increasing use of IoT devices, the demand for real-time processing and the need to decrease data transmission to centralised servers.
Of course, staying ahead of trends may be one thing but the rollout of new legislation and strict security measures can present its own challenges. Aside from rules and regulations, the shift to improved energy efficiency can conflict with growth potential as operators must balance their expansion efforts with broader energy policy goals.
Recent strides in hyperscale data centres have led to more centralised electricity consumption. However, large hyperscale facilities place a greater burden on local power grids, especially in small countries. With these challenges, it can seem daunting to build a more sustainable data centre, but with the right strategies in place, data centre operators can rise to consumer demands while showing commitment to energy reduction and the communities they serve.
Optimisation and maintenance
An effective strategy will incorporate both site optimisation actions and ongoing processes for efficiency improvements. When optimising the data centre environment, it’s important to use an energy-efficient server, router and storage system. Across suppliers, the energy requirement of devices can vary widely. In addition, IT equipment often runs at elevated temperatures.
To benefit from this energy-saving potential, one option to consider is the right Building Energy Management System (BEMS). A BEMS is a sensor-based solution designed to observe energy distribution and consumption in real time. It can keep track of ambient temperatures, air and water quality and identify sources of energy waste. This data can help you make smarter decisions to improve system performance.
Even better, analytical software can crunch all that data from a central dashboard. Dashboards can be customised to different needs, providing a straightforward way to collect, evaluate and visualise relevant data about your site. The data-led insights can be helpful to meet strategic goals, like reducing maintenance costs or carbon emissions.
Making any built environment more efficient is an ongoing process which involves continually replacing outdated equipment with new kit. But to balance performance with profit, it would be wise to keep much of the current technology in place, especially if it works well. In fact, for a more energy-efficient data centre, engineering measures should be planned during the design phase – e.g., distribution of power supply units, a strict separation of hot-air and cold-air areas, or the flexible use of air-conditioning systems.
When it’s too much to think about, a BEMS can control a large part of a building’s energy consumption. But be aware: not all BEMS work with older devices. The key here is backwards compatibility. Modern BEMS controllers are engineered to be cybersecure, resilient, scalable and compatible with existing IT infrastructures. It’s important to look for an integrated system that protects the investment and can keep your data centre running smoothly.
A robust system for energy management and maintenance is fundamental for driving energy efficiency in data centres. Still, while digital platforms and smart building controls can be incredibly useful, there’s still the human factor to consider in energy-saving plans.
Human resources, human errors, employee well-being, corporate policies and individual actions can influence the energy use of an organisation. In any case, data centre sustainability tends to connect smart data to smart people. When combined with tailored solutions, an integrated BEMS helps bridge the gap between traditional IT facilities and digital possibilities. With a BEMS, you can kickstart the capabilities to transform your data centre’s efficiency and performance.
