08.11. Working Group Data Center: constituent meeting

At the beginning of the meeting, Patrick Pulvermüller, Managing Director of Host Europe GmbH and working group leader, spoke about the objectives of the study group before presentations began. In his work he particularly looks at data center efficiency as a central effort.  Energy efficiency is discussed everywhere now with regards to data center management, however it specifically relates to technical and economic aspects of a data center. Ultimately, the working group, the efficiency of data centers are viewed from different angles and this will be developed on the basis of discussions in the working groups and best practice approaches.

The focus of this inaugural meeting was energy efficiency

The Design Institute in Munich presented the first lecture concepts to increase energy efficiency in compliance with the required availability. Here he referred to the present Managing Director, Gerhard Büttner, on his expertise from over 500 data center projects in the past 40 years.

A very good combination of high availability and efficiency is also possible, according to his remarks, when in the design of the data center relies on less capital-intensive large plants to increase efficiency, but follows a lot of small points. The efficiency lies in the details. Detailed options for CO2 neutral self energy (combined heat and power – in block-type thermal power stations) are also considered as well as fuel cells.

In the following presentation, Dr. Andreas Jabs, Alegri International GmbH, eco Authorised Auditor at the Datacenter Star Audit, raised the question of whether or not a certification process such as the DCSA could be adapted to energy efficiency efforts?

The independent audit data center is distinguished by its neutrality (guaranteed by the Association) and by its underlying diversity. It concentrates on the four core areas: building, technology, processes and personnel, which are analysed in detail on a questionnaire with over 120 questions. Five data centers in Germany (Host Europe GmbH, Internet Communications GmbH, Noris Network AG, Pironet NDH AG, Siemens AG) have so far managed the highest classification of 5 stars. Finally, it had to be noted that incorporation of energy efficiency criteria in the metric of the DCSA is not possible without further research and development. In particular, it is difficult to determine measurable (tangible) criteria for energy efficiency, which without would not produce a reputable certification.

In the final presentation, Thomas Bülow, member of the Board of Directors for eco eV, talked about the Power and Cooling Summit in London.  In conclusion, he reported that the participants discussed the issue that was dealt with at today’s working group under the first lecture, over two whole days – clearly emphasising the need for further debates on the topic. Therefore it remains to be seen what newly created committees and groups regarding energy efficiency will achieve. As an example, the consortium led by the “Code of Conduct on Data Centres of the Institute for Environment and Sustainability Renewable Energies Unit of the EUROPEAN COMMISSION” was mentioned and eco has announced its participation.

In the ensuing discussion it was agreed that the next target for the development of benchmarks was the creation of small best-practice case studies, so that the participants and other data center operators are given the tools and information in order to increase their energy efficiency. It was also a desire of the participants to actively participate in the design of the Datacenter Star Audit. The development should take place together with the development of best practice approaches.

As a first step, a working group was established. The group aims to take stock of existing efficiency in data centers through a survey of German eco members. The efficiency could be based on, for example the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE of the Green Grid Consortium) and, most likely, the animal classification of the Uptime Institute will be measured. The plan formulated in December is to design a questionnaire that will be sent out early 2011.