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Green DaTa CenTres anD CabLInG ChoICes
With energy efficiency seen as the dominant characteristic of a green data centre, the adoption of new cabling technologies can ensure adherence to the eU Code of Conduct for Data Centres and enable organisations to realise significant Opex savings long-term. Brand-rex r & D Manager, Ken hodge discusses how an informed choice of cabling can keep data centres cool.

Data centre energy consumption in Western European is projected to increase from 56 TWh per year in 2007, to 104 TWh per year by 20201. This not only poses a problem for EU energy and environmental policies, but directly impacts the bottom line of any organisation operating a data centre. historically, data centres have been designed with large tolerances to accommodate future expansion, while most run large quantities of redundant power and cooling systems to provide higher levels of reliability. the associated costs were considered a negligible risk to business performance, but rising energy bills have become a mitigating factor in overall cost of ownership.
EU’s ‘green data centre initiative published in October 2008 by the eC’s institute for energy, the ‘Code of Conduct on Data Centres energy efficiency
(Version 1.0)’ aims to stimulate a reduction in energy consumption by improving understanding of energy demand, raising awareness, and recommending energy efficient best practice and targets.
Covering existing and new data centres, it embraces two main areas:
• IT Load – the consumption efficiency of it equipment
• Facilities Load – the mechanical and electrical systems supporting the it electrical load, such as cooling and air-conditioning systems
Currently a voluntary initiative, participants are expected to abide by a set of agreed commitments. however, the Best practices advocated are pertinent to any organisation looking to attain energy efficiencies.
The cabling connection
Cooling the data centre