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THE DATA CENTER JOURNAL | 5 www.datacenterjournal.com Install high-efficiency UPS systems. According to a study by Lawrence Berkley National Labs, at 30 percent load, new high- efficiency UPS systems are 10 percent more efficient compared with the average UPS system. Actual wattage losses of high-efficiency UPS systems can be re- duced by as much as 65 percent, since power must not be used to cool waste heat. implement a DCiM solution. DCIM soware is a great capacity-manage- ment tool that can help managers improve power utilization, cooling and rack capacity by monitor- ing equipment and energy consumption. DCIM soware can identify and alert managers about specific conditions that create less-than-optimal utilization and energy usage, helping to identify opportunities for improved energy efficiency. For example, managers can even identify and eliminate underutilized servers, commonly called "zom- bie" servers, that siphon energy without benefiting opera- tions processes. Offload demand. Poor server utilization is one of the biggest sources of waste in most data centers. Mov- ing toward a virtualized environment, whether through virtualization of physical servers or by moving more systems and applications into the cloud or a colocation facility, helps to consolidate systems and reduce overall IT electrical load. Consider modular, containerized solutions. In addition to tying up fewer resources— including upfront capital expenses, ongoing operational costs, space and manpower—modular, containerized solu- tions are preprogrammed to run as efficiently as possible. Modular solutions are packaged, shipped and installed as a container that plugs into an existing space, allowing for rapid efficiency increases in existing data centers. use automation and variable- frequency drives. Automation controls are another measure to continuously reduce energy consumption through the ex- ecution of better building controls and modulating supply. Automation systems give managers the ability to integrate, control and monitor various aspects of the facility includ- ing HVAC, security, lighting and fire in one central appli- cation. Automation controls and variable-frequency drives (VFDs) provide a comprehensive method of controlling and adjusting different data center functions, making energy efficiency a priority. Many new cooling units today come with some type of variable control, and, fortunately, kits are available to retrofit existing units. Evaluate energy-procurement services. Energy-procurement planning is becoming an increasingly popular option for data center operators look- ing for an effective and inexpensive way to understand how energy is used and immediately see a savings on util- ity bills. Although the concept of energy procurement may sound straightforward and the benefits tangible, every market is different, so securing the best agreement can be complicated and time consuming, assuming options are even available. To simplify the process, facility managers may consider using a partner that will provide needed market intelligence to guide them through contract nego- tiations to implement a strategy that best fits their needs. Employ predictive analytics. Predictive-analytics solutions can be imple- mented to detect subtle changes in equip- ment behavior that are oen the early-warn- ing signs of failures. is capability allows operations and maintenance personnel to address equipment issues before they become problems that hinder operations. ese advanced analytics solutions can oen identify problems days, weeks or months before they occur, giving operators time to take action, allowing for better planning and in turn reducing unscheduled downtime and maintenance costs. Deciding which solutions to implement is a matter of looking objectively at the specific data center and choosing the right options for that facility. But data center operators can rest assured that deploying some or all of the above energy-efficiency steps can help to not only reduce energy and operational costs but also to improve capacity and reliability. n about the authors: Lance Bishop is the Director of Professional Services at Schneider Electric. Russell Senesac is the Data Center Business Development Director at Schneider Electric. 8 5 2 3 4 7 6