A ROBUST SYSTEM FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE IS FUNDAMENTAL FOR DRIVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN DATA CENTRES .
THE EDGE ata centres have become one of the most important
D resources in our modern world . Humming in the background of our digital economy , they host the critical services we depend upon , from online shopping and social media to cloud computing and analytics . Specifically , data centres house the servers , storage systems and IT equipment needed to process huge amounts of data . But to keep energyconsuming devices running , these facilities frequently gobble up power and generate greenhouse gases .
Data centres and data transmission are each responsible for up to 1.5 % of the world ’ s total electricity use , according to a 2022 report by IEA . Together , data centres and data transmission networks emit nearly 1 % of GHG emissions related to energy .
To soften the impact , the UK Government has released its Net Zero Strategy , outlining its approach to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 . The plan includes a range of policies and initiatives aimed at reducing emissions from all sectors of the UK economy , including energy , transport , industry and buildings .
Meanwhile , to help reduce energy use and emissions , many industries are adopting modern technology such as advanced cooling systems and building controls . These efforts can often also align with global commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible . As a result , data centre owners and operators face immense pressure to boost energy efficiency but they must also keep up with industry trends to be competitive .
New trends , existing challenges
From cloud computing and remote working to the increasing use of AI and Machine Learning , emerging trends are changing how data centres operate . Remote working , for example , is helping companies save engineering resources and establish smarter ways to connect .
As these trends shape the industry , demand for data centre facilities is also expected to grow due to the ongoing adoption of technologies by various enterprises , including Big Data analytics , cloud computing and IoT , as part of their plans for Digital Transformation .
At the same time , high demand of data processing puts pressure on older data centres . Older data centres , such as those approaching 20 years old , are often less efficient compared to newer designs that enable a high rack density . These ageing facilities may typically require an upgrade to their current infrastructure to release stranded capacity from inefficient equipment .
Similarly , the requirement for low-latency apps has sparked high demand for Edge Computing . Deploying data centres on the Edge makes it possible to process and transmit data closer to its source , which means faster and smoother service for the user . This trend has emerged alongside increasing use of IoT devices , the demand for real-time processing and the need to decrease data transmission to centralised servers .
A ROBUST SYSTEM FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE IS FUNDAMENTAL FOR DRIVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN DATA CENTRES .
Of course , staying ahead of trends may be one thing but the rollout of new legislation and strict security measures can present its own challenges . Aside from rules and regulations , the shift to improved energy efficiency can conflict with growth potential as operators must balance their expansion efforts with broader energy policy goals .
Recent strides in hyperscale data centres have led to more centralised electricity consumption . However , large hyperscale facilities place a greater burden on local power grids , especially in small countries . With these challenges , it can seem daunting to build a more sustainable data centre , but with the right strategies in place , data centre operators can rise to consumer demands while showing commitment to energy reduction and the communities they serve . www . intelligentdatacentres . com
79