Data center: consumption detected, loss averted

Data centers are of essential importance in many industries and institutions. They form the basis for economic success and are the central location for digitalization. This data processing requires energy. In order to use the energy flows and efficiency in the data center as efficiently as possible, energy consumption of individual units and system components must be recorded and evaluated so that measures to increase efficiency can be introduced if necessary. But which values need to be taken into account and how much can actually be saved? The experts Michael Wörster (Data Center Group), Rolf Wagner (econ solutions) and Güngör Saritas (Qivalo) show how you can benefit from the comprehensive service of the MVV partner network and use your energy in the data center sustainably and economically.

Data centers are a place of security, central data storage and form the basis for the digitalization of all areas of life. Many companies can no longer imagine life without them.

In the data center, the energy flows are divided between IT (server systems) and technical infrastructure (cooling and electricity). In addition to an efficient technical infrastructure, it is important that the right IT strategy is used to create an efficient overall system. For the technical infrastructure, we are on hand with MVV's solution house to record and evaluate all the necessary measured values and use them to identify optimization potential.

Staying cool

Data processing requires electricity to be fed to the computers. The computers convert the electricity into heat. The right cooling concepts are required to dissipate this heat from the data center. As in other areas of the company, it is important to regularly monitor and analyze consumption in cooling technology and take the necessary measures to optimize or save energy.

Measuring energy in the data center - why?

In addition to the existing obligation to carry out energy audits in data centers, for example, energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important as part of a sustainable corporate strategy. Due to the high energy requirements, optimization potentials are particularly interesting there. These measurements reveal important values: Where are energy losses hidden? Where are savings possible? In combination with a suitable system, efficiency levels can be monitored and deviations and impending failures can be detected quickly and at an early stage. For example, the UPS systems, consumption and losses can be monitored. This creates transparency, offers opportunities for optimization, increases energy efficiency and saves costs.

With the right measurement concept, mandatory safety checks in accordance with DGUV 3 (accident prevention regulation of the German Social Accident Insurance) can also be carried out automatically in the data center without shutting down the server systems.

What is measured?

It is always about the overall efficiency of data centers, but also about individual values. Calibrated and billing-compliant measuring devices enable consumption to be billed in addition to recording quantities. For example, consumption can be recorded separately, which can then be billed and assigned to customers as a cost center.

Usual measured values are

Electricity consumption (in kilowatt hours (kWh)): The total electricity is measured first, then before and after the components are used in order to be able to record the losses incurred. There are various measurement concepts (e.g. DIN EN 50600 or Blue Angel) that specify what, how, where and when to measure.
Heat (in kWh): if waste heat is provided from the data center
Water consumption (in cubic meters per hour (m³/h)): Prerequisite is the use of so-called adiabatic cooling (= evaporative cooling).

These components should be recorded:

Input side electricity, transformer
NSHV system (low-voltage main distribution board)
UPS system (uninterruptible power supply)
UV systems
Optional: Server, PDUs (power distribution units)
Cooling
Air conditioning system (ventilation system, e.g. for dehumidifying rooms)

Comprehensive service from MVV network partners

Consulting, implementation, optimization and maintenance:

Various factors need to be clarified for successful energy management in the data center: How large is the data center? What is the IT load? What are sensible measured values? The experts at the Data Center Group can help with all these questions.

Remote radio reading, consumption value recording, billing:

With Qivalo 's open and modular platform, all meters (heat cost allocators, water meters, electricity meters) and sensors such as smoke detectors are read and managed on a daily basis. The data obtained is made available to econ solutions so that anomalies or inefficiencies, for example, can be identified.

Software, hardware, consumption control:

The energy management software from econ solutions reliably records and analyzes consumption. The econ sens3 monitors the power quality in accordance with EN 50160. The econ4 software has a modular structure and can therefore be adapted to individual requirements and framework conditions.

Saving energy in the data center

How much energy can be saved in a data center depends on individual components and the overall system. As a rule of thumb, the older the systems are, the more savings potential there is (5 to 10 percent). With a concept conversion, values of 30 percent or more are possible. Our experience shows that large savings can often be achieved with little effort.

What do operators need to look out for?

In addition to auditing and certification, factors such as sustainability, transparency, cost control and cost allocation (in the case of leasing) play a major role for data center operators. It is important to plan ahead, optimize processes and carry out regular inventories - which measured values are useful? Because only those who know the losses and consumption of their components can act and become more efficient.

Tips:

Waste heat from data centers can be used sensibly for local and district heating (e.g. for heating nearby consumers such as office buildings or residential areas).
Appropriate measurement concepts enable comparability and thereby energy savings.
Permanent measurements (main and sub-measurements) and load peak management play an increasingly important role and contribute to more effective use.
The data center must be billed in accordance with the HKVO.

Conclusion: little effort - big impact

A data center needs a lot of energy because it does a lot. The overall efficiency must always be taken into account, but measurement concepts in accordance with DIN EN 50600 or the Blue Angel make sense. In short, it is worth recording all data on a daily basis - because the measurement costs are low. In addition, companies have continuous control over consumption in the data center and remain transparent. We support you: thanks to the bundling of our expertise in the MVV network, we take care of the entire service - whether installation, consulting, consumption monitoring and analysis or technical solutions.