Energy consumption in a typical data centre

Schneider Electric

Electricity is the major contributor to GHGs, as electricity generation is 25% of emissions from fuel usage, and rises to 50% for commercial buildings. Estimates are calculated from data from the European Environment Agency (EU2004 emission reports and EIA’s International Energy Outlook 2006). Over the past 30 years, total end consumption has risen by 1.6% per year, but electricity consumption is growing at a faster rate than overall energy consumption: + 3.4% average annual growth. Electricity’s share is now heading for 16% (IEA 2006 key world energy statistics).

With a sharp worldwide focus on GHG emissions, everyone needs to act and intelligently use the available technology. Savings are possible in electricity generation, distribution and use. The technology exists that controls buildings’ energy use in lighting, HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), building controls and distribution systems. Lighting alone can account for 40% of a typical enterprise’s electricity consumption.

Slow down, Switch off

In industry, there are proven ways to reduce the power consumed by electric motor systems and to better control the application of electrical power throughout a plant. Two-thirds of electrical energy used by industry is used to power motors. In most countries less than 10% of these motors have any kind of control system and cannot be automatically slowed down or switched off.

In the home, new products bring lighting and heating controls to enhance living standards yet save electricity. In most countries, every single home contributes 6.5 tonnes of CO2 every year – enough gas to fill six hot air balloons! Yet, just switching off lights in unoccupied rooms could save 2.2 tonnes per household.

HOMES is an 88 million euros programme, mainly funded by the French Agency for Industrial Innovation (AII). It aims to improve energy efficiency in residential, commercial and industrial buildings in Europe, while keeping the comfort and quality of life. New technologies for sensors, for communications as well as higher performance and more robust embedded control functions now make this possible as a building becomes truly clever and able to control and monitor itself and provide optimum comfort at the best energy cost. HOMES is a four-year application programme that aims to create and validate prototypes ready to be industrialised by its partners. Schneider Electric, the spearhead, has federated thirteen European partners, all industry leaders, around this challenge, where mastering technologies is the key. These partners are: CIAT, EDF, Philips Lighting, Somfy, ST Microelectronics, t.a.c., Delta Dore, PolySpace, Radiall,Watteco,Wieland, CEA, Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment, Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble.

Focus on Industry

Heat control using cooling, refrigeration and air-conditioning consumes up to half of the energy used in a data centre (used to house critical computer systems and associated components). Energy consumption reduction can be achieved by: right-sizing the system to match the load and using an energy-efficient system and devices.

A modular, scalable power and cooling architecture can save some 10 to 30% of electrical costs (vs. an oversized infrastructure), with even greater savings when data centres are designed with redundancy. Implementing a row-oriented cooling architecture for high-density deployment layouts saves 7 to 15%, compared with a traditional room-based cooling approach. In addition, many air conditioners offer economy options. This can bring 4 to 15% energy savings, depending on location.

More efficient devices, such as the new best-in-class UPS (uninterruptible power supplies) systems, reduce power losses by 70% over legacy UPS systems at typical loads. This can equate to energy savings of up to 10%. To sustain an efficient data centre, the management platform needs to understand the changes necessary to provide a complete long-term approach to high-efficiency operations.

Energy-efficient motors

In processes and building utility systems, 72% of electricity is used to run motors and 63% of this is used in fluid-related applications like pumping, ventilation and compressed air. Variable speed drives are the most appropriate in terms of energy usage savings as these applications are used in industry, buildings and infrastructure (tunnels, car parks, hospitals, shopping malls, offices). When centrifugal pumps, fans or rotary compressors are equipped with variable speed drives, the savings on the energy bill are from 15 to 50%, depending on the installation. The payback period is short, with investment generally recouped after nine to 24 months.

Schneider Electric has also delivered the breakthrough Smart Drives with SiC (Silicon Carbide). This new generation of variable speed drives is designed to dramatically reduce internal thermal losses. There is not a single reason not to save electricity, provided people are willing, and the growing interest and motivation can no longer be doubted. It is also clear that the technology needed is available.

W: www.schneider-electric.com