Data center upgrades are a complex process that often requires careful consideration of a variety of factors, including the following:
Reduce cooling costs. Meeting the requirements of the net zero pact can be complex with traditional data center designs. Hot aisle/cold aisle cooling systems require a lot of energy. Data centers that aren't adequately insulated and lack sufficient airflow are also likely to see higher operating costs than necessary.
Improve operational efficiency. Achieving net zero status is not just about saving money on energy costs; it's also about improving operational efficiency so your organization can perform at peak levels without sacrificing uptime or performance.
Increase security and resiliency. High-quality power supplies, uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), and generators can help protect against power outages and other issues that could lead to downtime or data loss — which can be costly for companies that rely heavily on their IT infrastructure for day-to-day operations or online sales activities.
According to a recent study by Cisco, almost half (48%) of businesses plan to upgrade their data centers over the next two years. The study found that 82% of respondents were concerned about having enough network bandwidth for future growth.
Net Zero Pacts: A Major Challenge For Data Centers
Net zero pacts are agreements between two parties where each side agrees not to release greenhouse gases into the environment. These pacts started as agreements between countries but have since included cities, regions, states, and even private companies within those areas.
Net zero pacts can be challenging for data center providers that rely heavily on fossil fuels for power generation.
Energy efficiency should be a focus.
It's no secret that many ways to reduce energy consumption at data centers, including monitoring power usage and installing more efficient cooling systems. In fact, according to data from the Uptime Institute, only 15 percent of companies track their power usage at all times.
The most cost-effective way to reduce energy consumption at the data center is through energy efficiency measures such as:
Reducing the amount of IT equipment in each rack by consolidating servers and storage systems
Using more efficient servers, storage devices, and networking equipment
Optimizing cooling systems, so they use less energy than before; this includes installing low-power auxiliary equipment such as chillers or air handlers that run less frequently than traditional models
Things to Consider for the Data Centers to Meet Net-Zero Emissions
Here are five considerations for upgrading your data center to become Net Zero compliant:
1. Replacing older equipment with newer, more efficient models
If your company has been using legacy hardware for years, consider replacing it with new servers and storage systems that use less energy per kilowatt hour (kWh). For example, consider Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers with Power Efficiency Upgrades that enable up to 50% reduction in power consumption over comparable previous generation platforms.
2. Managing humidity levels in cooling systems
High humidity levels can wreak havoc on server rooms, causing overheating and system failure. To reduce this risk, data centers should consider using a dehumidifier to help keep the air dry.
The savings often offset the cost of a dehumidifier from reduced energy consumption from less equipment failure.
3. Upgrading cooling systems, so they use less water
Many data centers use cooling towers that require large amounts of water for operation. This can be problematic in areas with water shortages or high water costs. Data centers should consider upgrading their cooling systems to use less water, such as using air-cooled chillers instead of water-cooled chillers.
4. Adding backup generators or microgrids
Datacenter providers should consider adding backup generators or microgrids to keep critical systems running in natural disasters or other emergencies where power is lost.
Read more about backup as a service
5. Using green power
Achieving a net-zero energy status means powering the facility with 100% renewable energy. We can accomplish this through renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines and by incorporating energy efficiency measures into design and construction.
Conclusion
Data center upgrades are expensive, so the plans have to be meticulous. But they’re also necessary to meet the growing needs of enterprises and the challenges they face in maintaining their own IT infrastructure.
The data center space is undergoing a significant transformation. The industry is moving toward a more holistic approach that looks at the overall infrastructure, including power, cooling, and IT equipment.
And it's not just about reducing energy consumption but also about ensuring data centers are resilient enough to withstand natural or artificial outages.
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