When it comes to designing a green data center, much can be done to promote energy efficiency and savings. Advanced technologies can help optimize roofs, walls, floors, layouts, cooling, lighting, server configuration and building management. Find out more from this presentation given by CEO of DP Air Corp, Arnie W. Evdokimo.

1. Green Data Center:
Using Measurement Tools to
Calculate Efficiency

2. Green Data Center
When it comes to designing a green data center,
much can be done to promote energy efficiency and
savings. Advanced technologies can help optimize
roofs, walls, floors, layouts, cooling, lighting, server
configuration and building management. The critical
component of green initiatives is to properly plan the
data center facility before equipment is installed.

3. Green Data Center
Green data center design efforts begin with the
physical structure. Every detail of building
construction is analyzed for efficiency. If not done
during the design phase of a project, increasing
efficiency becomes more costly, time-consuming and
labor-intensive. And, the efficiencies gained after
the fact may be limited.

4. Green Data Center
• Incorporating green data center design from
the start of a building project ensures the best
levels of efficiencies and cost savings. Plus,
businesses are better positioned to qualify for
utility rebates, tax credits and other energy
efficiency incentives.

5. Green Data Center
Knowing How to Measure a Green Data Center
• Data centers are well known culprits for consuming vast amounts of
energy. Not only costly, this energy consumption hinders good corporate
citizenship. Therefore, today’s data center managers are measuring
efficiency so they have a guide for improvements.
• One industry measurement tool is the Power Usage Efficiency (PUE)
metric. This measurement will tell a data center operator where they
stand in terms of energy efficiency. The company can then develop
strategies to lower its PUE rating.

6. Green Data Center
• PUE ratings are a good start for becoming a green data center and provide a
baseline measurement. Industry sources publish ratings from which data center
operators can compare their facilities.
• The benefit of using a PUE rating for green data center goals is the consistent
method of measuring energy consumption it provides. As the data center evolves
with new technologies and equipment, the PUE rating can highlight the effects on
energy efficiency.
• The calculation involves a ratio of power available to power being used. The result
of this calculation will be a factor greater than one. Therefore, the higher the
calculated ratio, the less efficient energy consumption is in the data center.

7. Green Data Center
• Another measurement tool is the Data Center
Infrastructure Efficiency (DCiE). As the inverse of
PUE, DCiE is the ratio of energy used in the data
center compared to the total power available. The
result will be less than one, with the best efficiency
ratings being the closest to one. To help a
company’s green data center initiatives, online tools
exist to help calculate these measurements.

8. Green Data Center
The Importance of PUE and DCiE Measurements
• In addition to providing a baseline measurement for data
center efficiency, PUE and DCiE calculations can provide
crucial decision-making information. When companies
commit to operating a green data center, they can decide if it
makes better sense to build a new facility or enhance an
existing one.

9. Green Data Center
• These measurements also help with goal setting. For example, once a
PUE rating is established, the company can set a goal to lower it to a
certain number. To achieve this goal, the company develops strategies to
improve energy consumption levels.
• Power and cooling are prime targets for energy efficiency increases. The
data center managers can develop strategies to reduce power
consumption and improve cooling system operation. Some of these
efforts can be straight-forward and make good economical sense. Other
times, the existing data center might be at the end of its lifecycle and
need replacement.

10. About the Author
Arnie W. Evdokimo is Chief Executive Officer of
DP Air Corporation, a leading provider of data
center design, build and maintenance services
based in Phoenix, Arizona.
For more information about green data
centers, visit http://www.DPAir.com today.