- Driving efficiency and Sustainable in Data Centers:The Importance of PUE,CUE and WUE
By Philip Holi:
Data centres have become critical in today’s digital world, underpinning mobile networks and cloud computing services.
With data demand skyrocketing, these centres must operate with the utmost efficiency and sustainability.
As a result, a strong focus on metrics like Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), Carbon Usage Effectiveness (CUE), and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) is essential to ensure both energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
- The Role of PUE in Optimizing Data Centres;
PUE, which measures the ratio of total facility energy to energy used by IT equipment, remains a fundamental metric for data centre efficiency.
A PUE close to 1.0 signifies greater energy efficiency, as less power is consumed by cooling and other non-IT infrastructure.
Improving PUE allows operators to identify inefficiencies and optimize energy usage across the facility.
The recent project for a major telecom operator in Tanzania,the implementation of a cutting-edge energy monitoring solution, driven by the ISO/IEC 30134-2 standard.
This involved installing state-of-the-art smart energy meters across multiple data centres and deploying a secure data acquisition system that transmits information to central servers.
Additionally, we integrated EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert software, which provides real-time remote monitoring, advanced analytics, and automated reporting capabilities.
This system enabled the operator to track power usage across critical systems such as UPS units, air conditioners, and lighting.
- Expanding the Focus:The Importance of CUE and WUE;
While improving PUE is critical, CUE and WUE are becoming equally important in ensuring overall sustainability
CUE measures the carbon emissions associated with a data centre’s energy consumption.
In facilities powered by renewable energy, CUE can be minimized, helping operators reduce their carbon footprint in line with global sustainability targets
WUE calculates the amount of water used in cooling and power generation processes, which is crucial as water scarcity becomes a global issue.
Efficient data centres must focus on both energy and water conservation to meet future resource challenges
- Combining Metrics for Comprehensive Efficiency;
The solution for the telecom operator in Tanzania not only enhanced PUE but also laid the groundwork for improvements in CUE and WUE.
By using EcoStruxure’s advanced analytics, the operator can now pinpoint energy-hungry components in their data centres, enabling them to make informed decisions that reduce overall energy consumption and environmental impact.
The results have been significant: immediate improvements in operational efficiency have been observed, with the system identifying inefficient components and helping to optimize energy use.
This real-time data has also empowered the operator to proactively address issues, preventing downtime and minimizing energy wastage.
These efforts have aligned the telecom operator’s data centres with international efficiency and sustainability standards, preparing them for a future where environmental responsibility is paramount.
- Future-Proofing Data Centres;
As the telecom industry evolves, data centres must adapt by incorporating comprehensive metrics like PUE, CUE, and WUE into their operational strategies.
These metrics provide a holistic view of energy and resource consumption, helping operators ensure both operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.
At Davis & Shirtliff, in collaboration with Schneider Electric, we are committed to driving this transformation.
Our recent success with the telecom operator in Tanzania shows that data centres can achieve substantial improvements in both efficiency and sustainability by adopting state-of-the-art power monitoring and management solutions.
By focusing on these metrics, operators can future-proof their facilities and play a key role in the global push for a more sustainable digital infrastructure.
- The writer is the Technical Director, Davis & Shirtliff