Data centers are essential for the digital economy. They have returned to popularity as an alternative to cloud-based services for organizations that prefer to keep their data on-premises. Additionally, organizations are learning that having their infrastructure only in the public cloud might not be the most cost-effective solution. This renewed focus on data centers brings new challenges: reducing energy consumption while still satisfying demands for more powerful compute and infrastructure, selecting the right cooling systems for now and the future, and rising operational costs that can directly impact a data center operation’s bottom line.
This study explores the latest trends and best practices in data center power and cooling efficiency, emphasizing the need to balance performance and costs. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global data center electricity use is expected to double by 2026,¹ highlighting the urgency for more efficient energy management. Cooling technology also presents a difficult choice, especially for older data center systems. When deciding between air cooling and liquid cooling, each method has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages.
This study also discusses the role that AI, generative AI (GenAI), and smart-connected devices (that is, network-based or cloud-connected devices) have in optimizing energy usage, managing cooling technologies, and enhancing data center operations management. These technologies enable real-time monitoring for data center operations that can significantly improve efficiency and increase cost savings.
Prowess Consulting was commissioned by Dell Technologies to review and discuss the issues of power and cooling. Among server OEMs, Dell Technologies stands out for its innovative approaches to smart power and cooling management. Dell™ OpenManage™ Enterprise Power Manager and a diverse array of Dell™ Smart Power and Cooling solutions, including air and liquid cooling, demonstrate Dell Technologies’ significant advancements in monitoring and, as an option in Dell™ PowerEdge™ servers, managing energy efficiency and operational reliability. By making use of AI-based fuzzy logic controllers and real-time data integration, solutions from Dell Technologies provide data center operations with the tools needed to achieve optimal performance and find cost savings. This includes forward thinking about how technology platforms in existing and new data centers can address ever-increasing demands for system density and compute power. Adopting such strategies is crucial for meeting the challenges of today’s AI-driven landscape and ensuring the long-term viability of data center operations.
¹ International Energy Agency. “Electricity 2024.” January 2024.