EXPERT OPINION
Jack Bedell-Pearce , CEO and Co-founder at 4D Data Centres
efficiency especially when incorporating advancements in cloud technology . The process involves the reduction of a file ’ s size by re-encoding the file data to use fewer bits of storage when compared to the original file .
The main advantage of data compression is that a compressed file requires less time for transfer and consumes less network bandwidth . By diminishing file size , data transmission time and communication bandwidth , less storage capacity is required , which results in decreased energy consumption , increased productivity , as well as significant cost savings .
Immersion cooling , on the other hand , represents a more practical measure for addressing challenges around energy inefficiency . The process sees computer components or even full servers being immersed in a dielectric liquid that enables higher heat transfer performance than air .
This solution was recently embraced by 4D , which installed a highly energy efficient ‘ pod ’ at its Gatwick site that uses immersion cooling technology . The ‘ pod ’ uses a biodegradable dielectric fluid – that has half the density of water – and heat exchangers to cool down IT equipment .
The fluid is kept cool by using intercoolers and water , via an internal heat exchanger that extracts heat from the fluid and redistributes it into chill water , which is subsequently pumped away and cooled down again in 4D ’ s adiabatic cooling towers , a similar process is used in the automotive industry .
Another way data centres can be more sustainable is by harnessing renewable energy sources . With electricity being the primary source for running daily operations , a single data centre ’ s environmental impact will be largely determined by where it gets its electricity from . This means that , depending on their resources and location , there is scope for data centres to implement a setup that relies more on environmental energy sources such as wind , solar or even tidal .
Next steps
Data centres have a real opportunity to drive change by embracing sustainability . Committing to a green agenda is obviously a step in the right direction for any organisation , but to become a truly sustainable company , business owners need to ensure energy efficiency is at the heart of every aspect of how a data centre is run .
By sourcing the most sustainable materials and technologies for designing and maintaining these energy-intensive hubs , business owners are able to run their data centres in a smart and clean way , ensuring that their impact on the environment is minimised as data consumption continues to thrive . ◊
ANOTHER WAY DATA CENTRES CAN BE MORE SUSTAINABLE IS BY HARNESSING RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES .
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