Reducing Your Data Centre Carbon Footprint Best Practice No. 10

• Make your co-lo customers aware that modern servers come with features that can save energy, but they must be activated. For example, server processors can reduce power consumption during times of low utilization.
• Reduce energy losses from power distribution units (PDUs). Look for more efficient PDUs and “smart” PDUs that monitor power usage. High efficiency PDUs are 2 to 3 percent more efficient than conventional units.
• Install rack contained cooling providing up to 90% reduction in energy usage through Active Rear Door Cooling using Two-Phase Pumped Refrigerant.
• Use sensors and controls to match cooling capacity & airflow with IT loads. Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) is the convergence of IT and building facilities functions so that energy, equipment, and floor space are used as efficiently as possible. DCIM provides information to allow you to “right-size” the infrastructure and reduce energy costs by as much as 30 percent.
• Provide energy-efficiency awareness training. Energy efficiency is rarely part of an IT professional’s formal training. Introducing basic energy efficiency concepts can get your colleagues thinking about ways to save.

Understand how data center sustainability improves with the right design and practices, get to know current green IT movements and pitfalls when it comes to going greener, and learn what major organizations are doing to fight climate change.

Conserve energy by using air containment and liquid cooling. Invest in sustainable computer processing hardware, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems and cooling systems. Implement high-efficiency power and cooling infrastructure, such as transformerless, modular UPSes, higher-voltage equipment or full liquid immersion cooling. If possible, implement fuel cells for on-site energy generation or switch to clean renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind.