In the previous issue of DatacenterDynamics Focus there were several articles on the issue of energy reduction in data centers. Energy reduction is clearly a must for the future, but we need to separate the realistic energy saving options from the not so realistic ones. A more down-to-earth view on this subject would help us set appropriate goals, set best practices, and give us the opportunity to take action on measures that really matter, such as reducing energy waste.

Currently, EvoSwitch has a Power Usage Effectiveness of 1,6, although a PUE of 2,0 is a typical data center value. Our ultimate goal is a state-of-the-art 1.2. I know Google claims to be a bit further along than us, probably because it doesn’t have to manage its data centers like we do, being a carrier-neutral data center. Google (and others) could even set up data centers in Iceland or Greenland because they don’t have to take into account restrictions on accessibility (by clients), connectivity and a variety of other needs that matter within a multiple client setting. [Google is very aware of the different
challenges it faces in building and fitting out its data centers, see book review page 54].

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