Datacenter Cooling Costs and Management

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Questions and Answers

What percentage of an IT department's power usage can cooling account for?

25%

75%

63% (correct)

50%

What unit is commonly used to express power consumption in datacenters?

British Thermal Units (BTUs) (correct)

Watts

Kilowatt-hours (kWh)

Joules

Which of the following is a cause of increased cooling costs in datacenters?

Decreased equipment density

Irregular heat load (correct)

Inefficient power consumption

Solar heating effects

What does the 'flood-cooling impulse' refer to in datacenters?

Overcooling beyond necessary levels Signup and view all the answers

How is electrical power consumption measured?

Kilowatt-hours (kWh) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key component of datacenter cooling management?

Optimizing airflow Signup and view all the answers

What was the estimated global spending on cooling datacenters in 2007?

$29 billion Signup and view all the answers

What does an increase in heat density in racks indicate?

Higher computing power in confined spaces Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of using a water-side economizer in a datacenter?

It can reduce energy consumption by up to 75%. Signup and view all the answers

Which environmental condition is optimal for the operation of a water-side economizer?

Outdoor temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of using traditional air-conditioning systems in a datacenter?

They can introduce contaminants into the datacenter. Signup and view all the answers

How do smaller air-to-air coolers provide cooling to a room?

By connecting to a window to transfer heat outside. Signup and view all the answers

What feature does HP's Dynamic Smart Cooling system use to optimize cooling?

Sensors to control temperature in specific areas. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of on-demand cooling system requires a standard garden hose connection?

Water-based coolers. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement regarding maintenance costs is accurate about fluid-chilled cooling systems?

They can lead to a reduction, potentially eliminating chiller operation. Signup and view all the answers

What voltage circuit is typically utilized for larger on-demand cooling units mounted outside buildings?

208-to-230-volt circuits. Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial power consumption to cool the datacenter before optimization?

45.8 kW Signup and view all the answers

Which method is used by Dynamic Smart Cooling to regulate temperature in a datacenter?

Sensor-based air delivery Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of inadequate air exchange in a datacenter?

Equipment overheating Signup and view all the answers

In the hot aisle/cold aisle configuration, where are the cool sides of equipment positioned?

Together in cold aisles Signup and view all the answers

What is the ideal air exchange rate for high-density datacenters?

50 times an hour Signup and view all the answers

What is one disadvantage of raising the floor in a datacenter?

Disruptions to operations Signup and view all the answers

What happens when cooling systems are placed parallel to the rack of equipment?

Causes mixing of hot and cool air Signup and view all the answers

What is a common practice to maintain cooling efficiency in datacenters?

Implementing hot aisle/cold aisle layout Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to select racks with good airflow?

To avoid airflow obstructions affecting equipment performance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended placement for diffusers in a data center?

Directly by the equipment to be cooled. Signup and view all the answers

What should be minimized to maintain effective cooling in a raised flooring system?

Air leaks through cable accesses. Signup and view all the answers

How can computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models assist in a large data center?

By locating the best placement for cooling units. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor in ensuring return plenums function effectively?

They need to be appropriately sized to accommodate airflow. Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of using redundant air handlers during normal operations?

They operate at lower speed, saving power compared to one fan at high speed. Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested for under-floor supply plenums to ensure proper airflow?

They should be spacious enough to prevent airflow obstructions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a recommended approach to improve fan efficiency in a data center?

Implement low-pressure drop air handlers and ductwork. Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of upsizing the duct, plenum, and piping infrastructure in data centers?

It reduces operating costs and allows for future-proofing. Signup and view all the answers

Why are variable-speed motor drives beneficial when used with chillers and pumps?

They enhance part-load performance in a cooling system. Signup and view all the answers

What should be introduced early in the design phase to minimize costs?

Energy optimization strategies. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a suggested method to examine energy efficiency in existing facilities?

Evaluate potential for onsite power generation. Signup and view all the answers

What role does documented reasoning play in the project decision-making process?

It clarifies key design decisions for transparency. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential drawback of upsizing cooling towers?

It results in increased physical footprint. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to involve all key stakeholders in the decision-making process?

To keep the team unified throughout the project. Signup and view all the answers

What should be the focus when setting quantifiable goals in facility design?

To base them on best practices and measurable outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cooling Costs

Cooling can account for up to 63% of an IT department's power usage
Electricity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh)
A 100-watt light bulb uses 100 watt-hours of electricity in 60 minutes
Ten 100 W light bulbs use 1 kWh of electricity per hour
Companies worldwide spent approximately $29 billion on datacenter cooling in 2007, a 400% increase from 2000

Causes of Cooling Costs

Cooling is a major component of power consumption and IT budgets
Increased server and storage device deployment leads to increased power consumption
Higher computing power in confined spaces increases heat density within racks
Irregular heat loads in datacenters are exacerbated by poor heat management planning
Overcooling datacenters can significantly increase costs

Calculating Cooling Needs

All equipment in a server room generates heat
Humidity changes in datacenters impact cooling needs
Filtration and humidification can be more expensive than using a regular air-conditioning system

Economizers

Water-side economizers use evaporative cooling to produce chilled water for datacenter cooling, especially effective in environments with temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit for 3000+ hours per year
Economizers can reduce chilled-water-plant energy consumption by up to 75%
Reduce maintenance costs by minimizing or eliminating chiller operation
Prevent contaminants and humidity changes from entering the datacenter
Typically incorporated into chilled water or glycol-based cooling systems

On-Demand Cooling

Provide temporary cooling when central air conditioning fails
Two types: air-to-air and water-based
Air-to-air coolers can be wheeled into rooms needing cooling
Smaller air-to-air coolers use flexible ductwork and standard 110-volt outlets
Larger air-to-air units are mounted outside buildings with cool air ducted through a window, operating on 208-to-230-volt circuits
Water-based systems are larger units, using garden hoses to supply water for cooling

HP's Solution

Dynamic Smart Cooling uses sensors to control datacenter temperature
HP labs reduced datacenter cooling power from 45.8 kW to 13.5 kW using Dynamic Smart Cooling
System adapts to changing workloads by adjusting cool air delivery based on computer needs
Sensors on computers detect warming and signal air conditioners to deliver more cool air

Optimizing Airflow

Air exchange rate is crucial for optimal cooling
Normal offices require air exchange twice an hour
High-density datacenters require air exchange 50 times an hour
Insufficient air exchange can lead to overheating before cool air reaches equipment

Hot Aisle/Cold Aisle

Equipment draws air from the front and exhausts air from the rear
Cold sides of equipment are arranged together, hot sides face each other
Allows equipment to draw in cool air, rather than preheated air from neighboring racks
Cold aisles have perforated floor tiles to draw cooler air from raised floors
Floor mounted cooling is placed at the end of hot aisles, not parallel to racks

Raised Floors

Datacenters are built on raised floors 18 to 36 inches high
Higher floors allow more air distribution under the floor
Higher floors can disrupt day-to-day operations and increase height

Supply Air Directly to Heat Sources

Cooling only the devices generating heat is more cost-effective than cooling the entire datacenter
Use diffusers designed for datacenter cooling directly at equipment intakes
Place diffusers near equipment intakes, avoiding heat exhausts
Minimize air leaks through cable accesses in hot aisles
Use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models to optimize cooling unit placement
Properly sized return plenums allow adequate air flow
Under-floor supply plenums must be large enough to service equipment

Fans

Fans consume significant power, especially when operating simultaneously
Use low-pressure drop air handlers and ductwork for efficient airflow
Use redundant air handlers at lower speeds for greater efficiency

Design for Your Needs

Datacenters are often underutilized
Upsize duct, plenum, and piping infrastructure for future scalability
Use variable-speed motor drives on chillers and pumps for improved part-load performance
Consider efficient techniques like medium-temperature cooling loops and fluid-side economizers
Upsizing cooling towers improves chiller performance and economizers

Putting Everything Together

Implement organization-wide considerations for efficient cooling
Use life cycle cost analysis for decision-making
Involve key stakeholders in project planning
Document and clarify design decisions
Set quantifiable goals based on best practices
Introduce energy optimization early in the design phase
Include integrated monitoring, measuring, and control systems
Benchmark existing facilities and track performance
Evaluate potential for onsite power generation
Provide facility operation staff with site-specific training

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Description

Explore the intricacies of cooling costs associated with datacenters, which can be a significant portion of IT power usage. This quiz covers factors affecting cooling needs, the impact of rising computing power, and the repercussions of poor heat management. Test your knowledge on effective cooling strategies and cost implications in IT environments.