How can data center staff and managers develop green skills and awareness?

You could also control your redundancy. Keep it N+1, not N+2 or 3 with systems that are running at 15% of their capacity. For both electrical and mechanical systems. Understand the operating rules of mechanical systems. For instance, two pumps running each at 50% of their capacity will consume 3 to 4 times less power than one pump running at a 100%. They are a lot of tools on the market that can help follow the power consumption.

1- Understand your installation! If you are running at N+3 because you are not at design load, shut-down systems and rotate their operation every few weeks for life-cycle issues. 2- Eliminate all old servers or equipment that is just sitting there and not doing anything. These two steps can drastically reduce your overall PUE and save power, hence, money.

PUE is a simplified benchmark that commonly used in the industry. It gives a gauges for operator to understand the efficiency of energy use in a DC. Also, we can compare the efficiency among other DCs operating in the same region. However, in order to save energy, the technical team, inclusive of managers, engineers, technicians and operators, shall be equipped with the knowledge of power and cooling technology and engineering theories and application of the system and installations that deployed in the data center.

This is a problem the entire power industry has been struggling with for decades. How to improve critical reliability in a way to safely, cost effectively, and efficiently deliver the energy needed and embrace technical improvements. In the end it takes project planing, capital, and careful blend of solutions using controls, operational changes, utility design optimization, for both on site generation and grid utility interface as appropriate. I’m thrilled to hear these fundamentals discussed and good solutions vetted. Great projects take great teams. Lead on All.

To foster green skills and awareness among data center staff, prioritize ongoing training on energy-efficient technologies and sustainable practices. Encourage certifications in green IT and regularly update teams on industry best practices. Implement energy-saving measures, track metrics, and reward environmentally conscious initiatives. Foster a culture of sustainability through communication, setting green targets, and recognizing achievements. Collaborate with industry partners and invest in research to stay at the forefront of eco-friendly innovations. Green skills are an investment in our future – let's lead by example and drive positive change.

Incorporate industry-leading best practices and standards in our data center operations. Ensure compliance with global frameworks like ISO 27001 for security and ISO 50001 for energy management. Emphasize efficiency by adhering to ASHRAE guidelines for temperature and humidity. Prioritize sustainability with strategies outlined in the Uptime Institute's Efficient IT guidelines. Regularly assess and update our practices to align with emerging standards. Elevate our reputation by showcasing our commitment to excellence in data center management. It's not just about meeting standards; it's about setting them.

A Data Center is almost like a living ecosystem. It will change over time as equipment are getting older and start to be less efficiant. Some tweaking is necessary from one season to the other and year after year.

There are many ways how to educate staff on Data Center topics: UPTIME, TIA, LEED, and Data Center Associations: These reputable organizations offer a plethora of valuable materials. Strategic Investment: Allocate resources judiciously to maximize returns. Investing in the right knowledge can have a cascading effect on your business, enhancing efficiency and reducing operational costs. Free Knowledge: Don't underestimate the power of free resources. Internal Training Systems: This not only saves costs but also fosters a culture of continuous learning within your organization. External Facilitators: Enlist the expertise of external facilitators when necessary.

Invest in comprehensive training programs for data center staff. Equip them with the latest industry knowledge, emphasizing security, efficiency, and emerging technologies. Collaborate with reputable training providers and encourage certifications such as CDCP, CCSP, and ITIL. Foster a continuous learning culture through workshops, webinars, and access to online resources. Tailor programs to address specific roles, ensuring a well-rounded skill set. Prioritize cross-functional training to enhance collaboration. By empowering our team with knowledge, we not only enhance individual capabilities but also elevate the overall performance and resilience of our data center operations.

LIke Tim is saying, green is a really nice buzz word but it is not an easy task to implement. I would recommend moving away from water as a cooling system when and where it is possible (or an hybrid system). Build smaller if water is a must. Use CO2 chillers where it is possible!!! A lot more efficient and a real decarbonization initiative. Virtualization has done great for the PUE over the last decade, up to a point where the AVERAGE data center PUE has stagnated and is hovering around 1.4-1.5.

Data Centers must transform they energy needs: using HVO, hydrogen fuel cells, biodiesels can drastically reduce carbon footprint, but they are quite expensive, and these solutions are still far from being commercialized. By studying many sustainability reports we can see that companies using so called carbon credits to reduce their carbon footprint. They are fighting the root cause and not changing industrial process.

Lead the charge in sustainability by implementing cutting-edge green technologies in our data center. Embrace energy-efficient hardware, advanced cooling systems, and smart power management solutions. Invest in renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind, to reduce our carbon footprint. Deploy virtualization and consolidation strategies for optimized resource utilization. Continuously evaluate and adopt innovations like liquid cooling and AI-driven energy optimization. Engage with eco-friendly vendors and support circular economy practices. By prioritizing green tech, we not only reduce operational costs but also position ourselves as industry leaders committed to environmental responsibility.

From my power industry experience I know know that novel installations and design optimization for efficiency (read CO2 reduction) are possible and practical when planned for and designed correctly. For every example of splashy fancy new tech that didn’t work out there are two or three examples of process optimization or solid technical innovations that work exactly planned; or better. Always because they were planned and vetted. Lots to do, and lots of great comments here.

Cryogenics cooling & hydrogen - have been evaluated as well - of course what’s the cost benefit versus existing liquid cooling. In addition 480 power source non converted is more efficient

Establish robust monitoring and measurement systems to track our data center's performance. Implement real-time monitoring tools for energy consumption, temperature, and server efficiency. Regularly conduct comprehensive energy audits and efficiency assessments. Utilize Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) like Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and Carbon Usage Effectiveness (CUE) to gauge environmental impact. Set measurable goals for efficiency improvements and sustainability targets. Implement a continuous improvement framework, analyzing data trends to identify areas for optimization. Regularly communicate progress to stakeholders and adapt strategies based on performance insights.

You cannot change what you do not measure! So, meters, monitoring through dry contacts or other means, is the basic of all good Data Center operation.

Attending seminars and workshops that organized by reputable organizations, such as Uptime Institute, BCA Academy GreenMark and EPI or DCD Academy, will help to develop green skills among employees too.

1. Create an Energy dashboard for real-time monitoring of consumption details from EMS. 2. Archive the energy consumption in a Historian for future reference. 3. Monitor excursion of critical parameters above normal values and raise alarm for operator’s intervention. 4. Using IR camera, citrate thermal map of server floors and identify hot spots 5. Use dp sensors between hot and cold air zones and identify leaks 6. Using data analytics, make suggestions to operators to optimise energy consumption. 7. Prepare dashboard for water consumption and identify leaks. Water conservation helps to reduce energy consumption

Security Measures: Prioritize robust cybersecurity protocols, access controls, and physical security to safeguard sensitive data. Disaster Recovery Planning: Develop and regularly update a comprehensive disaster recovery plan to ensure data integrity and business continuity in unforeseen circumstances. Scalability: Design the infrastructure to be scalable, allowing for seamless expansion to accommodate growing data needs. Compliance: Stay abreast of industry regulations and compliance standards relevant to data storage and processing to avoid legal issues.

For data center staff and managers to develop green skills in the context of architectural design, it's crucial to integrate sustainable design principles into their training. This includes understanding energy-efficient architectural designs, such as optimal building orientation, use of natural light, and effective insulation. Knowledge of green materials and technologies, like solar panels and efficient cooling systems, is also vital. Emphasizing the importance of LEED / certification or similar standards in architectural design can guide decisions towards sustainability. Encouraging participation in green architecture workshops and webinars can help staff stay updated on the latest sustainable practices and technologies.