New tools for data-center energy efficiency

The Green Grid energy consortium releases a number of tools to increase data-center energy efficiency, including improved metrics, design program, and online education.

By Source: The Green Grid February 23, 2009

At its second annual Technical Forum, The Green Grid —a consortium of global companies gathering to improve data-center energy efficiency—unveiled a number of tools and programs designed to help data-center managers improve the sustainability of their operations.

“As IT and facilities budgets receive increased scrutiny, efficiency becomes a more business critical issue for data center managers globally,” said Tom Brey, Green Grid and senior technical staff member in IBM’s Systems and Technology Group . “Members of The Green Grid have been working hard to develop new tools, metrics, and guidelines for measuring efficiency.”

Among the programs introduced were the Data Center 2.0 initiative, intended to create a multi-year set of design guides proposed for use by data center operators and designers. The design guides will give data-center managers principles and guidelines for new centers and retrofits. It also will include ways to recognize end users that report power usage effectiveness (PUE) or data center infrastructure efficiency (DCIE) within specified parameters.

In addition, the organization announced that its Green Grid Academy–which consists of training materials on deploying industry-standard metrics at facilities—will be available to members during the first half of this year. Other new tools include a revamped Green Grid Web site (with a microsite on the Dept. of Energy’s Save Energy Now energy management program), and white papers on topics ranging from PUE statistical analysis, productivity estimation, and using visualization strategies to improve efficiency.