5 Ways to Save Power in Data Centres

Data centres are vital to the digital economy, yet their energy demands are significant. According to studies, data centres accounted for approximately 1% of global electricity consumption in 2018, and this figure has likely risen due to the increasing demand for data storage and processing. With data centres consuming hundreds of terawatt-hours of electricity annually, there is a pressing need to adopt energy-saving measures.

Here are five practical ways to reduce power consumption in data centres:

1. Reduce Idle IT Equipment

Many servers, networking equipment, and storage devices operate below capacity or remain idle. Consolidating IT equipment and removing unnecessary devices can save electricity while reducing licensing and maintenance costs. Optimising server usage ensures resources are not wasted.

2. Use Energy-Efficient and Eco-Friendly Power

Energy-efficient technologies can significantly reduce power consumption:

• Replace conventional lighting with energy-efficient LEDs or motion sensor lights that automatically switch off when not needed.
• Activate eco-mode or energy-saving features on hardware to optimise operations.
• Transition to renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, for non-critical energy needs like backup generators and lighting.

3. Improve Cooling Efficiency

Cooling systems account for a significant portion of data centre electricity usage. Strategies to improve cooling efficiency include:

• Implementing proper airflow management, such as hot aisle/cold aisle configurations, to maintain uniform air temperature.
• Using containment solutions like curtains or blanking panels to prevent hot and cold air mixing.
• Opting for energy-efficient cooling technologies, such as cooling towers, instead of traditional mechanical chillers.

4. Deploy Server Virtualisation Practices

Server virtualisation involves dividing a physical server into multiple virtual servers using specialised software. Each virtual server runs independently, improving hardware utilisation and significantly reducing overall power consumption.

5. Optimise Water Treatment

Water is a critical resource for cooling in data centres, but poor management can lead to higher utility costs and equipment failures. Effective water treatment is essential to minimise waste and optimise efficiency:

• Chem-Aqua’s tailored water treatment solutions help reduce water consumption and prevent issues like scaling, corrosion, and microbiological growth.
• Advanced IoT technologies, such as Chem-Aqua’s patented bioDART and aquaDART, provide real-time monitoring and control of water quality, ensuring efficient use while safeguarding equipment performance.
• Recycling and reusing water can further enhance sustainability and reduce operational costs.

Energy Efficiency for Sustainable Data Centres

Energy efficiency must be a cornerstone of data centre design and operations. By adopting these practices, data centres can achieve substantial reductions in power consumption, operating costs, and environmental impact. Chem-Aqua Europe offers innovative, tailored solutions to support these efforts, helping your data centre improve efficiency and operate more sustainably.

For more information on how Chem-Aqua can help optimise water and energy usage in your data centre, contact us today!