How efficient data centers contribute to sustainability
The discussion about the climate crisis has been occupying people for a long time. Along with this, rising electricity prices are a significant burden for the German economic location. The focus is particularly on the impacts on future life. Therefore, environmentally friendly measures to combat the crisis are gaining more and more importance – especially the switch to renewable energies. “Operating data centers requires a high demand for electricity to supply the IT infrastructure”, explains Jerome Evans, founder and managing director of firstcolo GmbH.
For over 20 years, firstcolo has been operating data centers and therefore places great emphasis on the efficiency of the corresponding areas. “We use 100 percent electricity from renewable energies”, says Evans.
He also points to a PUE value (Power Usage Effectiveness) of 1.25, which compares the total energy consumption of the data center to that of the IT infrastructure. In 2020, the average PUE value in Germany was 1.631. “Specifically, this means that we only need 25 percent additional energy for the operation of the necessary data center infrastructure. These can be, for example, emergency power or air conditioning systems, which play an essential role in the operation.”
Optimized consumption contributes to the efficiency of data centers
Climate neutrality of data centers by 2030: This is the demand of the EU Commission within the European Green Deal. For green data centers, therefore, adjusting energy requirements is one of the possible levers. “This can be achieved, for example, through the air conditioning or cooling of the data center, as this has a significant impact on the overall electricity consumption of the respective data center,” Evans provides insight. “That’s why we rely on modern cooling concepts with direct or indirect free cooling.”
In the cooling technology within the data centers, firstcolo relies on cold aisle containment to effectively and efficiently direct cooled air to the respective server systems. “We ensure that the supply air temperature within the cold aisles of our data centers reaches a value between 21 and 24 degrees,” explains the expert. This way, the hardware receives sufficient cooling, and there is no unnecessary consumption of cooling capacity needed for a lower temperature.
Efficient data centers crucial for sustainable colocation
To evaluate energy consumption and carry out necessary optimizations, the PUE value alone is not enough. Instead, all aspects of electricity consumption need to be illuminated and all relevant values regularly reviewed. “Therefore, data center operators should not lose sight of the focus on sustainability in the future, in addition to the already high quality requirements,” warns Evans. New insights should always be taken into account, and adjustments should be made continuously. “With this approach, firstcolo aims to guarantee efficient operation around colocation and at the same time contribute to the fight against the climate crisis,” concludes the expert.
