Eben Owen, enterprise and solutions manager, Schneider Electric SA
Virtualisation: Optimised power and cooling to maximise benefits.
Virtualisation is an undisputed leap forward in data centre evolution. It saves energy, increases computing throughput, frees up floor space and facilitates load migration and disaster recovery. However, less well known is the extent to which virtualisation’s effect can be multiplied if power and cooling infrastructure is optimised to align with a new, leaner, IT profile.
Energy efficiency and virtualisation
While the virtualisation challenges of dynamic and migrating high-density loads and the need to ensure that capacity meets demand at the row, rack and server level are not new or unique to virtualised data centres, the combined simultaneous effects of virtualisation are focusing attention on them with a new urgency, especially in light of the growing interest in energy efficiency.
There are three key points to understand about virtualisation as it relates to the data centre’s power and cooling infrastructure:
* Power and cooling technology is available today to safeguard availability and meet the challenges of density and dynamic power that often accompany virtualisation and consolidation.
* Power consumption will always be lower after virtualisation as a result of computing consolidation and physical reduction of the amount of IT equipment.
* Data centre infrastructure efficiency, measured as power usage effectiveness (PUE), will worsen after virtualisation due to fixed losses in unused power and cooling capacity. With optimised power and cooling to minimise unused capacity, PUE can be brought back to nearly pre-virtualisation levels – sometimes even better, depending on the nature of improvements to the cooling architecture.
Maximising the benefits
The comparison of pre- and post-virtualisation power consumption involves two concepts relatively new to data centre cost analysis. As mentioned above, the first is fixed loss: the amount of power consumed by devices and systems regardless of load. This is responsible for the often surprising inefficiency of under-loaded systems.
The second is the distinction between energy consumption and energy efficiency. Even without a parallel upgrade to power and cooling, virtualisation will always lower the electricity bill, but not usually as much as might be expected. This lowered efficiency indicates room for improvement in power and cooling systems. It is, in effect, a measure of the potential for extracting more value per energy Rand.
A parallel upgrade of power and cooling infrastructure will optimise both architecture and operation in a number of ways that safeguard availability, enhance manageability, lower power consumption and increase efficiency. Row-based cooling, scalable power and cooling and capacity management tools are essential elements in realising virtualisation’s full potential in cost reduction, efficiency and reliability. These solutions are based on design principles that simultaneously resolve functional challenges, reduce power consumption and increase efficiency.
In addition, the shift towards virtualisation with its new challenges for physical infrastructure re-emphasises the need for integrated solutions using a holistic approach. Consider everything together and then make it work as a system.
For more information contact Pierre Lintzer, APC by Schneider Electric, +27 (0)11 557 6600, [email protected], www.apc.com
Optimising the product design process Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
OPmobility is partnering with Siemens to adopt its Teamcenter X Product Lifecycle Management software. OPmobility’s increasingly complex products now include electronics and software, to create energy storage systems, which include battery and hydrogen electrification solutions and fuel tanks.
Read more...Why turbomachinery should break free from vendor lock-in Schneider Electric South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
Today’s modern turbomachinery control systems form an important of operational efficiency, be it in heavy industries, traditional power generation or renewables such as hydroelectric facilities. Independence is the name of the game, and turbomachinery stands to gain lot from this newfound freedom.
Read more...Smart milling for resilient, sustainable food production
IT in Manufacturing
As the global demand for food continues to rise due to increasing urbanisation, the milling industry faces the challenge of balancing efficiency with sustainability. Bühler is committed to making milling more energy-efficient while maintaining high operational performance. Its solutions allow mills to reduce energy costs and ensure long-term sustainability.
Read more...The evolving landscape of data centres in the age of AI Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
The data centre industry is undergoing a period of rapid transformation, driven primarily by the explosive growth of AI. It’s clear that the demands of AI are reshaping the very foundations of data infrastructure. This isn’t merely about incremental upgrades; it’s a fundamental shift in how we design, power and operate these critical facilities.
Read more...Monitoring partial discharge on medium voltage switchgear Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric South Africa has launched its EcoStruxure Service Plan (ESP) in the Anglophone African region for medium voltage (MV) switchgear
Read more...SA Food Review
IT in Manufacturing
Food Review is a monthly trade journal for South Africa’s food and beverage manufacturing industry, for industry professionals seeking detailed information on trends, technologies, best practices and innovations.
Read more...Keeping an eye on oil consumption with moneo ifm - South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Manufacturing companies in the metal industry need oils and other fluids that are consumed by their machines. To make this consumption transparent and to establish a link to the ERP system, Arnold Umformtechnik relies on the IIoT platform, moneo, in combination with the SAP-based software solution Shop Floor Integration (SFI) – both from ifm.
Read more...AI accelerates energy transformation RJ Connect
IT in Manufacturing
With the rapid expansion of generative AI applications, data centre power demand is reaching unprecedented levels.
Read more...Revolutionising mining operations with MineOptimize
IT in Manufacturing
Now more than ever, mining and mineral processing companies need to boost productivity, ensure safety, and protect the environment. ABB’s comprehensive electrification, automation and digital solutions portfolio is ideally positioned to meet these challenges across all mining processes, from mine to port, transforming performance in a digital world.
Read more...Buildings in Africa’s urban evolution Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Africa is now an urban continent. How does the continent mobilise to accommodate urban dwellers and maintain and implement critical infrastructure that allows for this expansion? Building management systems provide a tangible solution to optimise resource use, lower operations costs and ultimately contribute to a growing continent that also employs green practices.
printer friendly version