Increase efficiency and reduce risk in the data center, it begins with a strategy.
The data center energy dilemma continues as data centers account for 2% of the world’s energy usage. One data center can use enough electricity to power 180,000 homes. Considering that electricity accounts for nearly a third of data centers ongoing operating expense, and along with rising energy costs, those operating data centers in high-cost metropolitan areas are searching for lower cost and sustainable energy alternatives.
Locating critical computing environments in low energy cost areas, such as the Pacific Northwest and other data center friendly markets in the U.S. can provide longer term savings. Areas with sustainable energy generation like hydro-electricity, natural gas and nuclear power are good options. Utilities relying upon coal-burning power generation, which accounts for 39% of the electricity production in the US, will be mandated to update their grids to eco-friendly generation. Those utility infrastructure upgrade costs will then most likely be transferred to consumers in the form of rate hikes.
Along with increasing energy efficiency, another major initiative among data center owners is to reduce risk. Events such as seismic, inclement weather, and tidal surges put a data center facility in jeopardy. Businesses with data centers in high-risk regions are looking to improve reliability by locating their facilities in areas with lower natural risk potential.
Certainly, an alternative to prevent damage from an act of nature is to harden a facility; however, that doesn’t necessarily solve the problem. In region-wide impacting events, services relied upon by data centers such as fuel replenishment, will be diverted to more critical life-safety facilities first. Highways, roads and associated infrastructure could also be impacted and some data center owners could likely find themselves unable to access their facility if the local jurisdiction red-tags the building or if staff and vendors are unable to commute.
A data center strategy is beneficial in that it identifies current gaps and deficiencies and articulates a plan to mitigate risk and achieve a desired future state.
PlanNet has helped dozens of major corporations and mid-size organizations execute decisions based on proven experience and understanding of the critical components of any data center strategy. PlanNet’s team of data center strategists prepares strategies that are well researched, backed by real data and proven analysis, and addresses all the fundamental questions required to get your project green-lighted.
Contact PlanNet today to discuss your options.
