The UK data centre industry is lagging behind when it comes to monitoring energy efficiency and adopting simple energy saving technologies.

However, monitoring and modelling technology is on-hand to help managers cut energy costs and improve efficiency, according to a host of industry leaders speaking to an audience of data centre managers, technicians and facilities managers at a seminar event earlier this month.

They were presenting at a dedicated data centre seminar day on 7 August, entitled Energy Efficiency for Legacy Data Centres, and hosted by ebm-papst UK at its Chelmsford headquarters.

Simon Allen, from wireless energy monitoring company WEMS, said that while IT equipment in data centres is getting more and more diverse, the same cannot be said for energy management.

He said: “Most data centres are still using very basic [energy monitoring] tools, for example, old-style BMS and even guys walking round with clip boards and thermometers to check the temperature.”

He outlined a range of energy saving quick wins for data centres – including retrofitting free air cooling and using EC fans, such as those originally pioneered by ebm-papst UK – and stressed the “fundamental need” for managers to use comprehensive monitoring systems.

Mr Allen admitted few data centres have adopted these solutions because of lack of expertise, as well as perceived time and cost, but he believes full data centre monitoring – such as that offered by real-time IP framework providers – will eventually prevail.

“Savings of up to 50 per cent are possible in legacy data centres but the starting point is to take control, and take a view of the possible initiatives open to you,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dave Williamson of Emerson Network Power detailed a case study illustrating how computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling can make a big impact on both designing and making the case for data centre refurbishment.

The case study saw Emerson take on a bank’s eight-year-old data centre, with the proposal to upgrade 18 CRAC units in a two-step approach. This involved replacing the original AC fans with EC fans and changing the strategy to run all 18 units at half speed, rather than running nine units at full speed, with the remaining units on standby.

To help educate the sceptical client, Emerson used a variety of CFD animations to show the existing, projected and upgraded air flow and temperature in the data centre.    

Mr Williamson said: “We came up with a solution, proved it off site without risk to the client and we went on to save them 150k by turning stuff on, rather than off.”

Finally, ebm-papst UK product manager James Cooper (pictured) talked delegates through the 2013 upgrade of the UK’s Diamond Light synchrotron facility, where 29 CRAC units were retrofitted with EC fans, saving researchers 55 per cent in cooling energy and £36,000 on their energy bills.  

Commenting on the effectiveness of EC technology, Mr Cooper concluded: “This technology has been available 10 years ago – the key is getting the industry to embrace the opportunities of new technology.”