2012 - PageSuite

More documents

Recommendations

Info

INFOCUS INDUSTRIAL EFFICIENCY: DEBUNKING THE MYTHS Data center management more than cooling By Kevin Brown, Schneider Electric Myth: Building my own data center is expensive, inefficient, and timeconsuming—but worth it to meet my specific IT needs. Due to advances in data center technology, modular and containerized data centers are now often a better alternative to customized data centers. For data center managers looking to increase their ROI, modular or containerized data centers are not only faster to deploy, but they’re also significantly more affordable and can offer better operational, efficiency, and processing benefits. The most obvious benefit to modular data centers is a drastic reduction in installation time. Traditional data centers take months or even years for construction, compared to just 10 to 16 weeks for a modular data center. This is in part because they’re already verified for compliance in safety, energy efficiency, compatibility, and security. Cost savings is another major benefit. Not only will the upfront cost of installation be drastically lower than that for a traditional data center, but maintenance and operating expenses are also reduced over time. A modular approach can deliver capital expenditure cost savings anywhere from 10% to 20%, and operating expenditure cost savings from 20% to 35%. Because of their manufacturing process and predictability, modular facilities also have a lower risk of operational human error. Systems have factory-verified operation and are tuned for maximum energy efficiency. Product defects are limited and software is preprogrammed, allowing technicians to spend less time troubleshooting and more time devoted to other critical IT issues. Myth: Sustainability in my data center is unattainable within my budget constraints. Sustainability isn’t just for big budgets. Using the right equation of affordable, widely available services and 5 Fifth in a series technologies to manage a data center’s energy supply and demand, businesses of all sizes can meet and exceed green and sustainability goals—without breaking the bank. Below are a few examples. Energy procurement: To ensure the most reliable and affordable clean energy is being sourced, data centers now have the option to work with outside sustainability service providers. These providers can help data centers with the full-time job of energy planning, monitoring, and reporting. These partners can also help reduce complexities involving price volatility, and control costs. Energy use: Just as we’re reminded to consume energy intelligently in our homes, data centers also need to be mindful of how and when they’re consuming energy. Some methods to reduce energy usage include: Natural cooling: Instead of an expensive HVAC system, use a free resource to cool your racks: outside air. While this is clearly best for data centers located in colder climates, it’s an ideal way to slash cooling costs and reduce energy use. Air containment strategies: Data centers routinely mix hot and cold air, limiting how effectively a system operates, as well as its overall capacity. An air containment system can be implemented by placing air tiles in the cold aisle, installing supply vents in the cold aisle and return vents in the hot aisle, and physically dividing the hot and cold aisles with a curtain or hard enclosure. This can return up to 25% in savings. And as the connecting element in a smart data center equation, demand response helps data centers get the most value out of their utility budget. By taking advantage of their utility’s demand response programs, businesses have the ability to determine when to best consume electricity, in conjunction with low rates. Plus, companies can also sell back unused energy (gleaned from efficiency and smart sourcing) to their utility at peak times, generating entirely new streams of revenue. Myth: Updating cooling is the only way to lower data center energy costs. There are many other tactics to be considered for lowering data center energy costs. Though cooling is a tremendous energy consumer, there are equally important areas you should be paying attention to if you want to slash your energy bills as much as possible, including air containment, higher voltage power distribution, more efficient UPS, redundancy requirements, and power architecture. Also consider: Power equipment efficiency: Data centers often fail to account for the heat produced by critical devices within a data center, such as UPS, transformers, transfer switches, and wiring. By cooling the heat generated by these devices, data centers maintain optimal conditions but also consume far more energy. Data centers should consider switching to more energy-efficient equipment, such as high-efficiency UPS, which have up to 70% less loss than legacy UPS at typical loads, servers, and CRAC/CRAH units, which can be programmed to reduce or cease demand fighting entirely. Centralized management system: Advancements in data center infrastructure management (DCIM) software now allow data center managers to easily integrate and prioritize all IT equipment and functions into one application. This centralized point of control allows data center managers to holistically monitor temperatures, operations, security, and power utilization. While cooling should not be overlooked, data centers would do well to look at energy usage holistically. By implementing a variety of tactics, data centers can slash energy bills in a way that works best for the organization. P E Kevin Brown is Vice President, Data Center Global Solution Offer for Schneider Electric’s IT Business. GO TO: www.PlantEngineering.com Keywords: “Dubunking the Myths” to find Parts 1 through 4 of this series. 14 • November <strong>2012</strong> PLANT ENGINEERING www.plantengineering.com
© <strong>2012</strong> Siemens Industry, Inc. Shift your perspective and bring maximum efficiency into focus. Performance and peace of mind from a single source. Integrated Drive Systems by Siemens. www.usa.siemens.com/ids-pe Integrated Drive Systems by Siemens is a unique single-source solution that helps you and your engineers specify, purchase, integrate and maintain drive train components (variable frequency drives, motors, gearboxes and couplings) through one point of contact. From end to end, our components are designed to work together, helping to minimize installation downtime and maximize your plant’s productivity. Eliminate communication challenges with a single experienced vendor backed by a team of experts who understand your industry, your application and your unique needs. Simplify maintenance and future upgrades with one company responsible for manufacture and design. And enjoy the peace of mind that comes from a comprehensive service agreement that encompasses the entire offering. Ready to shift your perspective Contact your local Siemens representative and let’s start building your customized solution today. Scan to learn more Answers for industry. input #10 at www.plantengineering.com/information
Page 1 and 2: 71 Remote monitoring 81 Rugged flex
Page 3 and 4: Ensure that your equipment is safeg
Page 5 and 6: What’s INside November 2012 Volum
Page 7 and 8: PlantEngineering.com 1111 W. 22nd S
Page 9 and 10: Machining without Coolant! Watch Th
Page 11 and 12: INFOCUS Get Skills to Work formed t
Page 13 and 14: You Have Big Ideas We Have a Big Ca
Page 15: GE Energy I prom se - Vishal Bansal
Page 19 and 20: YOU HAVE TO LOWER OPERATING COSTS.
Page 21 and 22: quality addresses all these market
Page 23 and 24: Quick change artist Insulating is a
Page 25 and 26: INPRACTICE Make your plant floor ti
Page 27 and 28: TWO GREAT COMPANIES. ONE BRIGHT FUT
Page 29 and 30: Maximize Uptime and Profits Through
Page 31 and 32: 2012 Finalists If innovation is one
Page 33 and 34: Panel wiring system solution The Sm
Page 35 and 36: Compact gearhead The Nexen Harmonic
Page 37 and 38: Comfort panels The SIMATIC HMI Comf
Page 39 and 40: Compressed Air Air nozzle EXAIR’s
Page 41 and 42: Line of actuators The Tritex II dc
Page 43 and 44: Energy Management Device and data m
Page 45 and 46: Fluid Handling Fluid recycling solu
Page 47 and 48: Lighting Color-consistent LED Colum
Page 49 and 50: Maintenance Tools & Equipment Heavy
Page 51 and 52: Materials Handling Systems Air cast
Page 53 and 54: Power Transmission Operator safety
Page 55 and 56: Productivity Training Software Blen
Page 57 and 58: DS remote switch actuator The RSA-1
Page 59 and 60: Metal detectable components DETEX B
Page 61 and 62: Rescue kit The Miller QuickPick Res
Page 63 and 64: Product Index Company Product Categ
Page 65 and 66: SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION 2012 Yo
Page 67 and 68:
7000 SERIES LIFT TRUCK 2012 Raymond
Page 69 and 70:
Ingersoll Rand has unleashed two pr
Page 71 and 72:
The new Fluke 805 Vibration Meter i
Page 73 and 74:
AUTOMATIONSOLUTIONS Courtesy: Autom
Page 75 and 76:
[ MOTOR TRUTH #13 ] Are you into be
Page 77 and 78:
ecording devices, and much more now
Page 79 and 80:
Help reduce your energy costs with
Page 81 and 82:
The Emerson logo is a trademark and
Page 83 and 84:
MAINTENANCESOLUTIONS Courtesy: Hoff
Page 85 and 86:
a simple solution, cable knock-outs
Page 87 and 88:
polyester performs well in extreme
Page 89 and 90:
WHERE SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS CONNEC
Page 91 and 92:
MECHANICALSOLUTIONS Three oil conta
Page 93 and 94:
Liquids Liquid contaminates are sim
Page 95 and 96:
PRODUCTMART Plant Engineering’s e
Page 97 and 98:
CONTACTS Advertiser Contacts for pl
Page 99 and 100:
WHAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED Our customer
show all

2012 - PageSuite

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?