Power and Cooling Issues

BroadGroup interviewed some of the Industry Leaders for their thoughts on the Power and Cooling Issues affecting the industry and this is what they had to say on the subject.

What are the main inefficiencies in the current Data Centre?

Ron Mann; HP: It is the duplication of the CRAC and back-up systems
Ian Bitterlin; Active Power: Most Data Centre operators do not realise the consequences of building such redundant units in terms of the power that is consumed.
Neil Rasmussen, CTO, APC: The main wastage of power in the Data Centre is due to “over-sizing” when the facility is built on a scale that does not match the IT loads being placed on it.

What is the utilisation of the typical Data Centre?

John Fruhe, Worldwide Market Development Manager, AMD: The utilisation of the typical e-mail server is typically just 20% over a 24-hour period; the key is to make sure that the components are used in line with the workload.
Active Power: By its nature the Data Centre is the most ecologically unfriendly facility possible; as much as 50% of the power consumed becomes heat.

What is the increase in power per rack?

HP: Today the average is around 7.5Kw per rack; the top range is around 15Kw per rack- and we believe that it will increase to 30Kw. Although rack power has changed dramatically, for the last 20 years Data Centre design has remained constant.
Peter Panfil, VP of Engineering, Emerson Network Power: For many years it was no more than 1.5Kw per rack; now the average is 7.5Kw rising to 24Kw for a blade rack.

What role do you see for water cooling?

HP: 15Kw per rack is about the limit with existing design and management. Above that level we would recommend water cooling.
Emerson: Base cooling should be used and then supplementary cooling on top. IT Departments are just not willing to tolerate water. The supplementary cooling should be fluid based with an enclosed pump fan – water is not required.

What Future Developments do you see changing the Power & Cooling balance?

HP: You have to look holistically at all components, including chassis; cabinet & hardware. We believe that virtualization and dynamic control of cooling and power with cooling at the source will make the difference.
Emerson: Cooling at the heat source is required. At the same time the Facilities and IT departments need to sit together in the same room and agree on how to tackle the problem together.

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