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How to design resilient power systems in data centers
Experts discuss the top considerations and concerns that engineers face when designing electrical and power systems for data center facilities
Innovative cooling and water efficiency strategies in data centers
Experts discuss best practices and common issues for designing cooling systems in data centers
Data center energy efficiency from new technology and stricter codes
In this roundtable, experts discuss changes in energy codes and technologies that are driving changes in data center design
Trends and challenges unique to modern data center design
In this Roundtable, experts answer common questions about the challenges and considerations of designing data centers in our highly connected world
Using fluid technology to address cooling limitations in data centers
There has been an increased focus on unique cooling solutions for data centers to address the limitations of traditional systems as they house more powerful servers.
Your questions answered: Energy management in data centers
Schneider Electric’s Greg Vlassopoulos answers audience questions about energy monitoring systems in data centers
Do you know how to reference ASHRAE 90.4?
Learn how to use ASHRAE 90.4 in conjunction with ASHRAE 90.1
Two-phase hybrid system developed to efficiently cool data centers
A Missouri Engineering researcher devised a system to cool data centers down more efficiently and effectively with a two-phase hybrid system.
Video: Relationships between HVAC efficiency and power usage effectiveness (PUE): Partial loads
This explains partial loads and the effect they have on HVAC efficiency and power usage effectiveness (PUE).
Medium voltage increases savings to power multistory data centers
Incorporating medium voltage power distribution systems into multistory data centers delivers site benefits but must be planned carefully for safe and effective installation.
Data center market snapshot for AE firms
Data center facilities are a growing market valued at $18.8 billion, according to Morrissey Goodale.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer content: July 14-20, 2023
Top 5 articles from the past week included data center codes, BACnet control systems and electrical acceptance testing
What do you need to know about designing data centers?
Will data centers get larger? More efficient? Use less water? Learn about the trends here
Grant awarded to make data centers more sustainable
Penn State was awarded a four-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to make data centers more sustainable.
Air distribution’s importance in data processing environments
Data center design requires a lot of thought and planning when it comes to air distribution. Following ASHRAE guidelines and standards can provide a roadmap for users
Data centers at the front line of future motor technology
Data centers are becoming more powerful as they gather more data and need high-efficiency motors to match their data consumption, which takes a lot of energy.
Trends, changes in data center design
Several trends are pushing the engineered systems in data centers in different directions
Overcoming site challenges for urban data centers
Site selection for urban data centers must consider municipal infrastructure, air permitting, environmental constraints and electrical service
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer articles: March 4-10, 2022
Read the best articles from the past week. Single-pair Ethernet, lighting controls, electrical power quality, most-viewed February articles and smart building essentials.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer articles: September 10-16, 2021
Read the best articles from the past week. University supercomputers, NFPA 99, chilled water plant performance, indoor air quality and chiller energy optimization.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer articles: September 3-9, 2021
Read the best articles from the past week. University supercomputers, chilled water plant performance, lighting design, Product of the Year finalists and pandemics and building design
Powering up the fastest university supercomputer
The University of Texas Frontera supercomputer requires massive amounts of electricity and posed a challenge to engineer the power supply in a limited space.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer articles: June 18-24, 2021
Read the best articles from the past week. Fire protection systems, power for fire/life safety systems, modeling electrical systems, specifying HVAC systems and designing standby power systems.
How to design data centers
An expert panel provides engineering and design tips in this Q&A
Consulting-Specifying Engineer April 2021 issue
Read the April 2021 digital edition to learn about modeling software, wireless lighting systems, how to design data centers, and more.
Understanding changing data center metrics
There is a better way to assess data center behavior. Novel multidimensional metrics have been incorporated in data center standards and best practices
Designing robust technology infrastructure for enterprise data centers
There are several considerations we need to make in order to deliver an effective and safe environment for data centers.
What ASHRAE 90.4 does for data center energy efficiency
The design and operation of data centers continues to evolve, with ASHRAE Standard 90.4 as guidance
Data centers achieve a new level of high-tech
Designing solutions for data center clients — whether hyperscale or colocation facilities — requires advanced engineering knowledge
Your questions answered: Can you specify CRAC systems to deliver free cooling in a data center?
In this case, yes you can. Read more questions and answers from the team that designed energy-efficient cooling in a California data center
BB&T Bank Primary Data Center
AEI worked with BB&T Bank Primary Data Center to provide an interactive critical operations manual (COM) that integrates into the asset management system
Data centers consume less energy than thought
Research from Northwestern University offers comprehensive analysis presents a more nuanced presents of global energy use related to data centers
SAS Institute Inc.: Data Center Commissioning
Failure mode analysis to define thresholds of performance.
Allen Institute for Brain Science
The data center heats the labs and offices.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
AEI has raised the bar for data centers.
How is the industry going to cool the 400W chip?
Unlocking the power of cooling in data center retrofits and new builds
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer Articles, May 17 to May 23
Read the best articles from the past week. Engineers and building professionals clicked on: 2019 Product of the Year finalists, 2019 40 Under 40 winners, developing hyperscale data centers, top design trends in data centers and electrical system design and commissioning.
Electrical Prefabrication Rising in the Data Center Market
Once reserved for remote, off-grid, industrial applications or temporary power, this prefabricated option has gained popularity in the data center market with three major benefits.
Future-proofing data centres: designing Russia’s largest data hall – IXcellerate Moscow One
A reliable infrastructure network, high internet penetration rates and connectivity along with comparatively lower power costs are making Russia a go-to location for data centres.
Reduce PUE to unlock capacity in data centers
Power usage effectiveness can unlock stranded IT capacity and create a new source of revenue.
Top design trends in data centers
An increasingly data-driven society demands advanced, high-performance data center facilities. Read on to learn the biggest challenges, emerging technologies and upcoming trends affecting data centers.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer Articles, April 12 to April 18
2019 Product of the Year finalists, integrating modeling into building design, designing data center AHUs, understanding GFCI nuisances, and building energy modeling were Consulting-Specifying Engineer's five most clicked articles from last week, April 12 to April 18. Were you out last week? You can catch up here.
Researchers develop architecture to reduce data center energy and space constraints
MIT researchers have developer a flash-storage system designed to cut the energy and physical space required to store and manage data in data centers by half.
Developing hyperscale data centers
When designing hyper scale data centers, consider elements of design, construction and commissioning.
Case study: Specialize co-location data center
A co-location facility is explained, piece by piece.
Your questions answered: Critical power: Power generation systems in high-performance buildings
The Sept. 21, 2017, “Critical power: Power generation systems in high-performance buildings” webcast presenters addressed questions not covered during the live event.
10 aspects to consider for data center clients
There are 10 common aspects to consider in the analysis of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
Five emerging data center trends
Andy Baxter, PE, Page principal and director of MEP engineering discusses five emerging data center trends.
Data center security and monitoring system
NetBotz 250 is designed to monitor critical IT assets in real-time for protection against physical threats, environmental risks, or human error.
Modular data center design helps Oracle achieve sustainability goals
The project’s design-collaboration approach was highly successful.
Research, data, and a lot of numbers
Data, numbers, metrics—they all provide useful information to assist us in our jobs.
Your questions answered: Electrical systems and data center efficiency
Electrical systems play an important role in data center energy efficiency. Questions not answered in the Feb. 18, 2016, webcast are addressed here.
Smart cell for digital electrical distribution
Square D I-Line Smart Cell seamlessly transforms the I-Line panelboard into a digital communications or metered electrical distribution solution.
Report: Adoption of 400 Vac in North America
According to a recently published IHS report, Rack Power Distribution Units Report – 2015, rack power distribution unit (PDU) data shows that some data centers in North America have begun deploying higher voltage power architectures.
Power-monitoring system for data centers
The ePDU G3 offers power monitoring for enhanced accuracy and efficiency.
Economics of energy-efficient electrical systems
Energy efficiency is achievable in all building types, including mission critical environments.
Transformer-free uninterruptible power supply
The Liebert eXL 1200 kVA/kW UPS can be used in colocation facilities and large enterprise data centers.
Project profile: Power system solutions for colocation data center
9395 uninterruptible power system helps the colocation data center achieve an efficiency rating of greater than 94%.
Project profile: Retail chain data center
Unified communications system for growing retail chain stores across three states.
dc power distribution recommended practices
Use these three tips to ensure a direct current (dc) power distribution project is successful.
North America outsources 16% of data center load; Europe lags
The portion of the information technology (IT) load outsourced to wholesale and retail data centers in North America stood at 16.3% at the end of 2012.
Selective coordination studies for mission critical environments
Isolating an electrical fault condition to the smallest area possible is essential in providing the most reliable electrical distribution system with maximum uptime for your facility.
Data centers and energy savings
Some advice on how to save energy in data centers to achieve net-zero energy.
Latin American colocation market soars
DCD Intelligence's report indicates the Latin American colocation data center market is ripe for new entrants with most of the Latin American countries classified as emerging markets.
Data center is solidly grounded
Syska Hennessy Group designed a data center that required solidly grounded underground duct banks.
China colocation market to quadruple by 2016
China’s colocation market to witness 40% per annum compound growth until 2016.
Nordic countries lead data center growth in Western Europe
The Nordic countries in Europe are leading data center "white space" growth in Europe thanks to major Internet companies taking their business over there because of financial incentives and mature infrastructure.
Latin America data center infrastructure market to surpass $1 billion in 2013
The data center infrastructure market is forecast to grow at an average annual rate of roughly 10% through 2016.
Estimating data center PUE
When estimating data center energy use, consider applying these five analysis techniques.
Focus on data centers: Electrical and power
Designing efficient and effective data centers and mission critical facilities is a top priority for consulting engineers. Six engineers share their knowledge of electrical and power systems in data centers.
Manufacturers’ focus on data centers: Fire and life safety
Designing efficient and effective data centers and mission critical facilities is a top priority for consulting engineers.
Manufacturers’ focus on data centers: Sustainability
Designing efficient and effective data centers and mission critical facilities is a top priority for consulting engineers. Three manufacturers discuss energy efficiency and sustainability.
Focus on data centers: Sustainability
Designing efficient and effective data centers and mission critical facilities is a top priority for consulting engineers. Energy efficiency and sustainability are key factors to consider.
Manufacturers’ focus on data centers: HVAC
Designing efficient and effective data centers and mission critical facilities is a top priority for consulting engineers. Manufacturers discuss HVAC systems, cooling systems, and solutions.
Focus on data centers: HVAC
Designing efficient and effective data centers and mission critical facilities is a top priority for consulting engineers. Engineers discuss HVAC systems, variable frequency drives, and unique projects.
Focus on data centers
Designing efficient and effective data centers and mission critical facilities is a top priority for consulting engineers. Engineers share general feedback on their work in data centers.
Focus on data centers: Codes and standards
Designing efficient and effective data centers and mission critical facilities is a top priority for consulting engineers. Engineers share suggestions and feedback on data center codes and standards.
Manufacturers’ focus on data centers: Automation and controls
Designing efficient and effective data centers and mission critical facilities is a top priority for consulting engineers. Three manufacturers share information about their company’s products and solutions.
Focus on data centers: Automation and controls
Designing efficient and effective data centers and mission critical facilities is a top priority for consulting engineers. Read on for six engineers’ perspective on automation, controls, and BAS.
Manufacturers’ focus on data centers
Designing efficient and effective data centers and mission critical facilities is a top priority for consulting engineers. Three manufacturers share information about their company’s products and solutions, plus data center trends.
ASHRAE 90.1 public review open
ASHRAE has opened a public review until Feb. 3, 2013, for ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2010.
Special report: The IT business
Rob McKernan, senior vice president IT Business with Schneider Electric, discusses trends in the industry in this exclusive video.
High power UPS to see stiff competition from static suppliers
The shift from rotary to static has come from a combination of significant revenue potential and improved semiconductor technologies.
Project success is the sum of all parts
In a data center, uptime is more than just the sum of its pieces.
Still more on ‘cutting the copper’
One evening, an easy method to scale back on the amount of copper we were installing dawned upon us—a concept that was certainly not revolutionary, but simply logical.
The ‘HDC’ transformer: A liquid-filled transformer designed specifically for application within large data centers
Let me to introduce to you a new liquid substation transformer that I believe solves all of the problems we've been discussing for so many weeks.
Kroger Data Center
Existing building retrofit: Kroger Data Center; PEDCO E+A Services Inc.
How to effectively operate mission critical facilities
Achieving uninterrupted mission critical facility operation requires both standardized employee training and detailed documentation.
Tips and tricks for mission critical facilities
Reliability is important on any project an engineer is charged with, but especially when it comes to mission critical facilities, failure is not an option.
A game-changing transformer dielectric fluid
The fluid is nonhazardous, 100% biodegradable, and made from natural esters of edible seeds and soybean oil—and has all of the great characteristics of Askarels, with none of the drawbacks.
Selecting UPS for mission critical projects
A well-designed and properly applied UPS can protect critical loads from power quality anomalies.
Emerging UPS technologies, applications
Several emerging UPS technologies are gaining acceptance. Some of these up-and-coming UPS types include superconductive magnetic energy storage (SMES), flywheels, super capacitors, and fuel cells.
UPS efficiency and LEED certification
LEED certification for a project demonstrates a dedication to sustainability and energy efficiency.
Data center efficiency, cooling considerations
Engineers should know how inefficiencies in electrical systems affect data center cooling load.
Let’s discuss the copper
Data center owners are opting for even larger servers, adding even more copper.
ASHRAE releases datacom equipment power trends book
The second edition of ASHRAE's “Datacom Equipment Power Trends and Cooling Applications” is focused on helping planners, designers, and operators develop more affordable solutions.
The early 2000s: The amazing boom of data center construction
Data center engineers have split into two camps. Which camp are you in?
The next big thing in data centers
We must keep on top of the latest trends and technologies to ensure that we provide high value to data center clients.
Automatic transfer switch protection
Automatic transfer switch short-circuit current protection has some common misconceptions. Here we’ll discuss the deficiencies of “non-current limiting” protection.
A quick summary and review of 10 previous blogs
Let’s take a look at what we’ve already discovered, and review the most important aspects of this “Cut the Copper” series.
Containerized data centers – sorting through the confusion
The future for containerized data centers is a bit uncertain right now.
Liquid transformers–the right stuff
In this installment, Guentert gives more reasons for the differences in reliability between liquid transformers and dry-types.
Do primary windings of liquid-filled transformers fail?
The short answer is no, primary windings of liquid-filled transformers don't fail. Here's why.
2012 40 Under 40: Jonathan den Hartog, PE, 31
Application Engineer – Simulation, Autodesk, Charlottesville, Va.
2012 40 Under 40: Yury Y. Lui, PE, LEED BD+C, CEM, BEMP, DCEP, REP, EBOM, 36
Worldwide LEED Practice Leader, Regional Mechanical Department Leader, HP/EYP Mission Critical Services, Chicago
Dry-type transformer failures versus liquid transformer failures
In this "Cut the Copper" installment, Guentert explains how, when properly installed, liquid-filled transformers in data center power systems are more reliable than air-cooled dry-type transformers.
10 common data center surprises
Appropriate technologies and best practice tips can help data center managers and consulting-specifying engineers prepare for the unexpected.
Rack-level cooling grows faster than room-cooling: report
IMS Research's recent study indicates rack-level cooling will grow more than 20% in the next five years, though room-cooling will remain the largest part of the market by 2016.
Data center designs dual-purpose computer room, showcase
Matrix Integration designed and built a state-of-the-art data center to manage its operations and use as a showcase for its customers.
Specifying, applying load-bank systems
Understanding load-bank specification, installation, and operational issues can help ensure electrical and mechanical system reliability.
Ceiling-mount air conditioner
The CMW30 ceiling-mount air conditioner by MovinCool is designed for areas with dense heat loads.
Providing reliable data center backup power
A Tier III data center upgrades its backup power system to provide continuous operation.
Data processing
Since the 21st century business world relies heavily on information, data centers are one of the most crucial components of any company. Here, engineers share advice on how to handle such important projects and keep their clients’ operations running.
Intelligent lighting improves data center efficiency
Centralized control of a data center’s lighting was achieved through implementing LEDs that improved lighting quality and increased visibility in the facility.
Three-phase UPS
Eaton's 9E is a power management solution for small to medium data centers that delivers power protection ranging from 20 to 60 kVA.
Data center epitomizes ‘mission critical’
The Indiana University Data Center in Bloomington features Tier III, N+1 redundancy, cost-saving flywheel UPS technology, and switchgear with full bypass capability to help ensure power reliability.
Chilled water data center cooling solution
Schneider Electric offers two additions to its intelligent cooling systems
Precision cooling system
Emerson Network Power's Liebert DSE is a room-based precision cooling system designed specifically for medium to large data centers.
LEED, data center design standards
Different data center industry groups are proposing new standards and guidelines that address the primary challenges in the design and ongoing operations of data center facilities.
Uninterruptible power supply – 2011-08-24
Hewlett-Packard's UPS R1500 G3 and UPS R/T3000 G2
Critical operations power systems application
How NFPA Standard 70 and Article 708: Critical Operations Power Systems (COPS) is being interpreted and applied, and how to respond with standby systems design when COPS is levied on a project.
Guidelines for applying PUE metric completed
The latest recommendations for energy efficiency measurement and reporting completes the guidelines for applying the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) metric.
Top Consulting-Specifying Engineer articles, February 2011
Most visited articles at www.csemag.com during February 2011 included information on ASHRAE 90.1, transient conditions in mission-critical facilities, and a short-term energy outlook.
Specifying generators for mission-critical environments
Engineers must consider size, fuel capacity, and grounding when designing mission-critical standby power systems.
Transients in mission critical facilities
Each of the three transient conditions in an MCF has a different cause, different result, and different method of mitigation.
Earthquakes and data centers
Many data centers use seismic isolation technology to protect racks and servers in the event of a major earthquake.
Specifying generator control switchgear
View the full story, including all images and figures, in our monthly digital edition With daily advances in information technology and other processes and services, the world is becoming a more complicated and power-hungry place. Many industries and services have become increasingly more dependent on a continuous, uninterrupted supply of electric power. However, a continually shrinking electric generation margin reduces the reliability of utility-provided power. Consequently, the use of backup power control systems and generator control switchgear has grown and will continue to grow—in number, capacity, and complexity—in the coming years.
Commissioning mission critical systems
The 24/7/365 nature of a mission critical facility makes its commissioning (Cx) unique. With an abundance of redundant systems and a zero tolerance for downtime, a data center's MEP infrastructure requires careful commissioning practice, which can be more expensive than commissioning less complex facilities. Because of this complexity, increasing scrutiny of budgets, and ever-tightening schedules, gaps in commissioning can occur that lead to larger, more expensive problems down the road. However, by defining commissioning roles early, integrating schedule coordination, completing peer review, and employing simulation and demonstration methodology, commissioning can be a cost-effective ally for delivering data centers on time and within budget. This article outlines some of the strategies that we have been successfully employing on data center and mission critical projects. Project scope From project to project, the commissioning scope involves verification and documentation, including factory witness, field acceptance, and integrated systems testing.
Critical Facilities Consulting
One of the nation's major mission-critical design firms, New York City-based EYP MCF, reports that it is ushering in a new era of reliability with the formal establishment of Critical Facilities Consulting (CFC). Firm officials report that the impetus behind the launch of the CFC division is driven by significant changes taking place within the mission critical industry.
More “Nines” Not Always Better
A mission critical facility (MCF) provides an environment where processes occur which are integral to an organization's viability. The MCF for a stock exchange includes its trading floor and related clearing houses. A bank's MCF may consist of a data center that processes billions of dollars of credit card transactions; the most critical portion of a hospital may be its operating and communicat...
