Stalking the Wild Data Center: Benchmarking Results from 25 Facilities

Srirupa Ganguly and Steve Greenberg, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)

The first segment of this presentation will cover the use of data center metrics and benchmarking to identify actions that result in energy savings. The action-oriented approach to benchmarking will range from overall performance metrics for the entire center, down to the component level to help optimize cooling and electrical systems. The approach is useful for large and small data centers, for retrofit and new construction, and for managing multiple centers. In the second part of the presentation, one of the energy-efficient strategies—the use of air-side economizers—will be discussed. It will include energy savings from using air-side economizers in several climate zones in California. Results will also show that conventional humidity restrictions must by relaxed or removed to gain the energy benefits of air-side economizers. Since this energy saving measure increases indoor particle concentrations with an un-quantified increase in the risk of equipment failure, the trade-off between energy savings and air quality risks associated with the use of air-side economizers will also be discussed.

Biographies:

Srirupa Ganguly is a research associate at LBNL. She conducts applied research in energy-efficient strategies and methods for data centers. In addition, she also performs empirical studies on indoor air quality in order to understand the factors that affect it. Before LBNL, she worked in the research and development division of Philip Morris USA studying particle transport. She has a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and a Master's in mechanical engineering.

Steve Greenberg holds a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and a Master's degree in energy and resources, both from the University of California at Berkeley, and is a registered Mechanical Engineer in California, a LEED® Accredited Professional, and a Certified Energy Manager.  Now a senior energy management engineer at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, he has researched and applied energy-efficient building and industrial systems for a variety of clients on three continents over the past 27 years. He is currently working with LBNL's High-Tech Buildings project, performing research on data centers, clean rooms, and laboratories, as well as with the facilities division on sustainable new building and retrofit projects on LBNL's own buildings.

Back to Agenda