Energy Efficiency and Net Zero Power Alternatives for Data Centers
Robert Welch, Amersco, Inc.
During this presentation, the speaker will explore how energy efficiency and onsite generation can:
- Lower operating costs.
- Utilize renewable energy.
- Cut carbon footprint up to 100 percent.
- Increase energy security and system availability.
Energy consumption for data centers has increased exponentially over the last 10 years. In most installations, the cost of power to operate and cool a typical server over its three-year life is greater than its original capital cost.
Data centers, which account for roughly two percent of the world's total energy consumption, have been projected to overtake the carbon emissions of the airline industry by 2010. Since the federal government operates 10 percent of all United States data centers, the speaker will spotlight the low-hanging fruit of energy efficiencies for small and large data center installations. Many of these improvements can pay for themselves in less than a year.
The speaker will review numerous locations where onsite power generation has proven to be cost effective and ultra reliable for data centers across the United States. Additionally, the speaker will explore how waste heat from generation can be utilized to reliably cool these systems.
Finally, the speaker will showcase technologies that can provide net zero energy options for data and communication centers today!
Biography:
Robert Welch has a track record of successful energy efficiency and renewable energy projects over the last 25 years. Mr. Welch brings the experience of how to lay out the best strategic plan, select the most appropriate technologies, and how to bring successful projects online. Mr. Welch's career efforts include over 1,000 solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, biomass combined heat and power, and nuclear installations. Mr. Welch's direct project experience includes work with the Tennessee Valley Authority, Duke Energy, Siemens, and KEMA.
Mr. Welch also offers 10 years of data center expertise and development of enterprise software applications. Mr. Welch's recent speaking engagements have included Sandia National Laboratories, Electric Power Research Institute, Montreux Energy Summit, and the Utility Wind Integration Group. Mr. Welch's educational credentials include Bachelor of Science degrees in physics and psychology from Vanderbilt University. Mr. Welch's Masters of Business Administration Studies was obtained from the University of Tennessee. Mr. Welch serves as a board member for the Association of Energy Engineers.