Events

Numerous predictive modeling tools are available to assist with data center design. Energy simulation modeling tools have been used for decades to predict the energy performance of a building. Usually, that modeling applies to a facility at its design capacity. Likewise, computational fluid modeling tools have been used to predict air flow patterns and temperature distributions at fixed or design conditions. These two case studies use the predictive modeling tool to simulate the application of various cooling technologies on the facilities’ energy consumption as the IT loads change throughout the life of the facility. Using actual data center designs for projects in Atlanta, GA and Los Angeles, CA the software suite can assist in cooling system selection, evaluating the energy performance and cost of ownership of two data centers. Unlike other energy modeling packages, this software suite allows dynamic viewing of the performance of the facilities’ infrastructure as various inputs into the model are changed. For example, outdoor conditions and IT loads change over time; additionally, the provisioning of equipment to meet the various conditions over the life of a modular facility also change. A dashboard feature of this package allows dynamic viewing of the performance of all aspects of the facilities’ response, including the PUE and/or DCiE at various conditions. The use of this modeling technique is not only a great design tool, it’s also a useful tool in predicting the optimized performance of a data center at any point in the life of the facility. Any discrepancies between the actual and the optimized performance should be interpreted as an indication that a facility has room for improvement.

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(March 28; 3:15pm CST) The data center industry has come to expect that in order to achieve a highly efficient and sustainable design, total cost of ownership (TCO) must be sacrificed. Although that can be a true statement, it need not always be so. There are measures that can be taken to help reduce the TCO for data centers. This presentation will look at some alternate methods of looking at TCO, including consideration for phased deployment, addition of carbon credits, and incentives by government and/or public utilities. For more information on the conference, Vali Sorell's presentation and how to register>>