Improving the environmental footprint of the data center

Managers from Intel and T-Systems reviewed the research work carried out to date in the test data center on February 18.

Paul Otellini, the CEO of Intel, viewed the latest results of the test series from DataCenter 2020. The experts from the joint project between Intel and T-Systems presented the integrated approach of the test data center. Using this approach, they research optimum energy consumption and take into account the interaction of various factors such as processor usage, cooling output and airflow. “At Intel we strive to minimize the environmental impact of our products – from design through disposal – and we collaborate with others to develop innovative ways that technology can help address long-term sustainability challenges. Initiatives like the Datacenter 2020 help to save costs and conserve energy resources, reduce CO2 emissions while still delivering the performance needed by the datacenter of the future”, said Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini.

Throughout his visit he was accompanied by Joachim A. Langmack, member of the T-Systems Managing Board. “DataCenter 2020 is an impressive result of the alliance between Intel and T-Systems. The alliance provides a convincing test environment for innovative datacenter technology to come, serving high customer expectation”, said Langmack.

Rule of thumb for energy efficiency

T-Systems and Intel have been carrying out research into a blueprint model for an energy-efficient data center DC2020 in the Munich infrastructure test data center since September 2009. The top priority here is to reduce the PUE value (power usage effectiveness). This value measures how much of the energy input of a data center is actually converted into computing power. The lower this value for an unchanged total load, the better the result. However, as energy is also used to cool the servers, the annual average for this value is currently 1.9. The experts from Intel and T-Systems want to reach the 1.3 mark in order to be able to run data centers in a way that conserves resources and is therefore cost-effective.

The results of the first test series will be presented by Mrs. Diane Bryant, CIO of Intel, and Olaf Heyden, Managing Director of T-Systems and Head of ICT Operations, at CeBIT 2010. On March 3 at 2 p.m., the press meeting “Perfect climate in DataCenter 2020” will take place on this subject at the Deutsche Telekom stand in hall 4, D26.