July 25th, 2023
Introduction
As the demand for data storage and processing continues to soar, data centers have become the backbone of the digital era. However, the exponential growth in data centers comes with its environmental challenges. The colossal energy consumption and carbon footprint associated with these facilities have raised concerns about their sustainability. In response to these pressing issues, data center operators are now prioritizing energy efficiency and eco-conscious practices. One leading company, Altus Technologies Corporation, is at the forefront of this trend, assisting businesses in assessing and optimizing their Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) to drive data center sustainability.
The Urgency for Data Center Sustainability
Data centers are power-hungry beasts, demanding massive amounts of electricity to maintain uninterrupted operations. This electricity consumption translates into significant carbon footprints, impacting the environment. As global awareness of sustainability increases, companies across all industries are striving to reduce their environmental impact, and data centers are no exception.
The Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) metric has become a standard in measuring data center energy efficiency. It represents the ratio of total energy consumption to the energy used for computing purposes alone. The ideal PUE is 1.0, which means all energy is dedicated solely to computing tasks. However, many data centers still operate with PUE values well above this, indicating considerable room for improvement.
New Trends in Data Center Sustainability
Energy-Efficient Cooling Solutions: Cooling systems are essential for maintaining optimal data center temperatures. The latest trend is to implement innovative cooling technologies that require less energy, such as liquid cooling, hot/cold aisle containment, and free cooling using outside air when environmental conditions allow. Depending on the mix of equipment in use, higher ambient temperatures may also be an option.
Edge Computing: Edge data centers, located closer to the end-users, help reduce data transmission distances, spreads the load into smaller and more energy efficient spaces leading to lower energy consumption. By decentralizing data centers, businesses may be able to enhance both performance and energy efficiency.
Energy Storage, Conversion and Battery Technology: Integrating advanced energy storage solutions, like large-scale batteries, enables data centers to store excess energy during low demand periods and use it during peak hours. This contributes to more balanced energy consumption and grid support. New battery technologies (such as LFP) are also coming into focus. Conversion from AC to DC and inversion from DC to AC can sometimes be avoided and reduce waste.
Altus Technologies Corporation’s Role in Optimizing PUE
Altus Technologies Corporation is a pioneering company specializing in data center infrastructure and sustainable solutions. With their expertise in assessing and optimizing PUE, they play a crucial role in guiding data center operators towards a greener and more energy-efficient future.
Workload Placement: Where various IT workload runs can change the efficiency profile of your data center. On-Prem, CoLo or Cloud and/or a mix or “hybrid” approach can yield vastly different energy usage profiles. Altus Technologies can evaluate and recommend the best workload placement for performance, uptime and energy usage.
PUE Assessment: Altus Technologies conducts evaluations of data centers to determine their current PUE and identify energy consumption patterns. This analysis helps data center owners and operators pinpoint areas of high energy usage and inefficiencies.
Tailored Recommendations: After the assessment, Altus Technologies provides customized recommendations and action plans. These may include hardware upgrades, cooling system enhancements, airflow management improvements, and integration of renewable energy sources based on the specific needs of each data center.
Cutting-Edge Technologies: Leveraging their vast experience and industry partnerships, Altus Technologies introduces the latest energy-efficient technologies and cooling solutions to data center operators. Their expertise ensures that the proposed technologies are compatible with existing infrastructure and seamlessly integrated.
Monitoring and Optimization: Altus Technologies doesn’t stop at recommendations; they assist in the implementation process and can help to monitor the data center’s performance to optimize energy usage and PUE over time. Regular evaluations help track progress and identify additional areas for improvement.
Conclusion
As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, data centers must be part of the solution rather than contributing to the problem. Altus Technologies Corporation is a trailblazer in data center sustainability, leading the charge in optimizing Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE). By embracing new trends and adopting innovative technologies, Altus empowers data center operators to achieve their sustainability goals, reducing their carbon footprint and making a positive impact on the environment. In partnership with Altus Technologies, businesses can pave the way for a greener, more energy-efficient digital landscape.
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