Data Center Energy Usage Assessment Service

PTS' Data Center Energy Usage Assessment Service provides data center operators with a spot measurement and calculation of the site's power usage effectiveness (PUE) and data center efficiency (DCE) ratios. The goal of this service is to assess the power utilization of the data center operations as the first step in determining whether energy efficiency improvements are achievable.

PTS' data center energy usage assessment service serves as a 'recommendations', phase in the progression of the data center project process.

PUE is the ratio of total facility power supporting data center operations to the actual power used by the IT infrastructure while DCE is the reciprocal calculation. The IT infrastructure is the equipment used to manage, process, store, or route data within the computer room area(s). It constitutes the critical load and includes all of the IT equipment, such as compute, storage, and network equipment along with supplemental equipment such as KVM switches, monitors, and workstations used to monitor or otherwise control the data center. The total facility power supporting data center operations includes IT load plus all the support infrastructure loads including:

•    Losses from power protection & distribution equipment including UPS,
      switchgear, generators, PDU, ATS, and batteries
•    Power for cooling system components including chillers, computer room air
      conditioner units (CRACs), heat rejection equipment, pumps, cooling towers
•    Power for miscellaneous non-UPS loads such as lighting

PTS' technicians will identify the total facility power supporting data center operations as well as the actual power used by the IT infrastructure by collating the data from various sources including inspecting equipment meters and/or by using power measurement equipment to spot capture the power draw for all data center specific infrastructure that cannot otherwise be determined.

The PUE and DCE ratios serve as a basis of comparison of the current data center power usage versus industry standards. The assessment of these ratios can determine whether the potential exists for substantial cost savings derived from improved power systems design.

Features	Benefits
Determine electrical load for both IT & support Infrastructure	Understand the actual power consumption of both the IT & supporting loads
Determine PUE and DCE for current data center operations	Provides numerical comparison of current data center power usage versus industry standards to determine whether the potential exists for substantial cost savings derived from improved power systems design
Recommend energy usage improvements	Understand potential energy savings from various upgrade and/or improvements to data center operations

• Visually inspect existing equipment power metering and/or utilize spot measuring equipment to quantify the IT and supporting loads at the following locations (as required to meet the project intent):

  •   UPS (IT Loads)
  •   Data Center Support Infrastructure Load Panels
  •   Distribution Panel Boards
  •   Power Distribution Units (PDU)
  •   CRAC & Heat Rejection Equipment Load Panels
  •   Lighting Panels
  •   Non-UPS Computer Room Load Panels
  

• Determine the electrical rate by obtaining and analyzing a utility bill from the facility
• Perform calculations to determine the PUE and DCE ratios based on the observed load values
• Develop a prioritized list of recommendations to improve the energy efficiency and/or energy usage for the data center

Deliverables

• PTS will perform the field site survey and keep all recorded findings and data confidential.
• PTS will deliver a comprehensive Data Center Energy Usage Assessment Report to the customer that includes:

  •   Quantification of the current IT load
  •   Quantification of the current supporting load
  •   PUE and DCE ratios of the current data center operations
  •   Comparison of the current PUE ratio to industry standards
  •   Prioritized list of energy savings opportunities as a result of potential
       capital improvement projects
  •   A PDF copy of the final report
  

• PTS will conduct a follow-up conference call to review the final report and answer questions