Data centers, whether newly built or converted legacy sites, must look forward to how they can optimize their facilities to ensure “five 9s” (99.999%) smooth operation, improve Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), and keep long-term costs low. Achieving these goals requires a comprehensive approach to facility management, focusing on energy efficiency, cooling optimization, and sustainability. 

Meanwhile, this is only part of the story. For a deep dive into data center optimization, download our whitepaper, “Data Center Excellence: Optimizing the Facilities Behind the Digital Era.” 

Key Takeaways 

• Understand the challenges data centers face while optimizing their facilities and operations.
• Discover eight steps that data center management teams can take to achieve high-ROI optimization for their facilities.
• Observe the value of the right expertise in fulfilling your data center’s optimization strategy. 

Challenges to data center optimization 

Data centers are notorious for their high energy consumption, which will only grow as the demand for processing incredible volumes of data continues. Precise temperature and humidity control are crucial to accommodate astronomical demand while ensuring reliable operation. But there are challenges. And for data center owners to maintain their competitive edge over the long term, these challenges will require attention early and often: 

Cooling  

• Uneven Cooling and Hot Spots: Maintaining consistent and efficient cooling across large, complex systems can be difficult, leading to over- or under-cooling in areas of the facility.
• Traditional Cooling Systems Limitations: Traditional air-based cooling systems struggle to keep up with modern computing hardware's growing density and heat output. These systems are also extremely energy-intensive, consuming much of a data center's total energy usage. 

Scalability  

• Managing Dynamic Workloads: Server workloads can fluctuate significantly, leading to varying heat outputs and cooling demands.
• Maximizing Capacity: Data hall capacity can only scale if there is sufficient cooling and backup potential. 

Security and Reliability 

• Downtime and Reliability: Maintaining 24/7 uptime and data availability requires reliable energy systems and robust infrastructure with appropriate redundancies.
• Disaster Recovery: When disaster does strike, it is vital that data centers return to normal operations as fast as possible to keep tenants happy and/or vital cloud systems available. 

8 steps for optimizing data centers  

Here are eight steps data center managers can take to optimize their facilities for function and efficiency. While the in-house management team (if one exists) can perform these steps, an independent data center performance consultant would be a great addition to planning and executing an optimization strategy, having the capability to implement these. 

01 Capture High-ROI Opportunities  

Start with a preliminary assessment of PUE, site layout, cooling needs, and control strategy. This can uncover opportunities to reduce cooling requirements and associated electricity costs through airflow management and other approaches. Best practices can be scaled across multiple facilities for greater savings. Continuous tracking and assessment are crucial for motivating necessary maintenance, repairs, and replacements to achieve sustainability goals. 

02 Modernize Cooling  

Cooling is vital for data centers, especially with increasing computing demands. Major changes to cooling systems can improve efficiency and reduce energy and water usage, particularly during end-of-life upgrades. 

• Closed Systems: Reduce water usage by recirculating water, leading to less wastewater.
• Freecooling: Utilize naturally cold sources to reduce cooling energy costs without mechanical refrigeration.
• High-Density Racks: Implement air cooling systems and higher-ambient-temperature designs to manage heat from high-density racks. 

03 Seal the Building Envelope  

A data center’s physical structure is crucial for maintaining efficiency, safety, and impermeability. Regular assessments of roofs, walls, floors, and passages are essential to identify and address any vulnerabilities. Long-term structural damage can be prevented by reducing leaks and protecting the valuable components. Implementing a proactive building envelope program not only extends the service life of the building but also helps prioritize repairs, ensuring that maintenance is conducted when necessary and within budget constraints.  

04 Upgrade to Efficient Lighting  

Consider switching to LED lighting, which is one of the fastest ways to decrease energy use and costs. LEDs provide better illumination with less energy consumption and require less maintenance. Utility incentives can offset upgrade costs, and installation causes minimal disruption to operations. 

05 Update HVAC Systems  

HVAC systems are significant energy consumers in data centers. Whether for the data hall or the control room, analyzing existing systems can reveal opportunities for efficiency improvements and sustainability goals. For new builds, proper early planning can lead to lower costs in the long run. 

• System Analysis: Identify ways to reduce energy costs and determine if replacements or retrofits are needed.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure HVAC systems meet current emissions regulations and sustainability standards. 

06 Assess Energy Procurement, Demand Control, and Renewables  

Energy costs are a major operating expense for data centers. A proactive approach to securing reliable, cost-effective energy and managing consumption is essential. Reducing peak demand with advanced demand management tools can lower costs and improve resilience. Integrating renewable energy sources like solar and wind can provide long-term savings and lower emissions, depending on location and infrastructure. 

07 Leverage Building Management Systems (BMS)  

A well-structured BMS provides a comprehensive view of all data center systems and allows centralized management. 

• System Integration: Combine HVAC, mechanical, security, and lighting systems.
• Holistic View: Monitor efficiency, losses, and areas for improvement.
• Remote Monitoring: Enhance efficiency by adjusting systems to match demand.
• Customizable Scheduling: Modify system schedules to meet varying demands. 

08 Putting It All Together  

Combine analytics, cooling, uptime, PUE, energy procurement, and building systems to form a comprehensive facilities management plan that improves ROI. Start with a fast assessment to identify quick wins, develop a long-term optimization strategy, prioritize and implement projects, outsource project management if needed, and regularly track and report progress. 

Conclusion 

Optimizing data centers for peak performance requires a holistic approach to the facility. By following these guidelines and leveraging the right expertise, data centers can improve PUE, reduce operating costs, and ensure long-term facility success. 

Mantis Innovation has the expertise and solutions to help data centers navigate these challenges and achieve their optimization goals. Contact us today to start on the path to optimization and ensure your data center operates at its best. 

Download our whitepaper for a comprehensive roadmap to optimizing your data center’s operations.