Advanced Concepts For Renewable Energy Supply Of Data Centres

The rapid increase of cloud computing, high performance computing (HPC) and the vast growth in Internet and Social Media use have aroused the interest in energy consumption and the carbon footprint of Data Centres. Data Centres primarily contain electronic equipment used for data processing (servers), data storage (storage equipment), and communications (network equipment). Collectively, this equipment processes, stores, and transmits digital information and is known as information technology (IT) equipment. Advanced Concepts for Renewable Energy Supply of Data Centres introduces a number of technical solutions for the supply of power and cooling energy into Data Centres with enhanced utilisation of renewable energy sources in order to achieve low energy Data Centres. Because of the high energy density nature of these unique infrastructures, it is essential to implement energy efficiency measures and reduce consumption before introducing any renewable energy source. A holistic approach is used with the objective of integrating many technical solutions such as management of the IT (Information Technology) load, efficient electrical supply to the IT systems, Low-Ex air-conditioning systems, interaction with district heating and cooling networks, re-use of heat, free cooling (air, seawater, groundwater), optimal use of heat and cold storage, electrical storage and integration in smart grids. This book is therefore a catalogue of advanced technical concepts that could be integrated into Data Centres portfolio in order to increase the overall efficiency and the share of renewable energies in power and cooling supply. Based on dynamic energy models implemented in TRNSYS some concepts are deeply evaluated through yearly simulations. The results of the simulation are illustrated with Sankey charts, where the energy flows per year within the subsystems of each concept for a selected scenario are shown, and graphs showing the results of parametric analysis. A set of environmental metrics (as the non-renewable primary energy) and financial metrics (CAPEX and OPEX) as well of energy efficiency metrics like the well-known PUE, are described and used to evaluate the different technical concepts.

Data center demand response is a solution to a problem that is just recently emerging: Today’s energy system is undergoing major transformations due to the increasing shares of intermittent renewable power sources as solar and wind. As the power grid physically requires balancing power feed-in and power draw at all times, traditionally, power generation plants with short ramp-up times were activated to avoid grid imbalances. Additionally, so-called demand response schemes may incentivize power consumers to manipulate their planned power profile in order to activate hidden sources of flexibility. The data center industry has been identified as a suitable candidate for demand response as it is continuously growing and relies on highly automated processes. The presented thesis exceeds the related work by creating a framework for modeling data center demand response on a high level of abstraction that allows subsuming a great variety of specific models. Based on a generic architecture of demand response enabled data centers this is formalized through a micro-economics inspired optimization framework that generates technical power flex functions and an associated cost and market skeleton. This is evaluated through a simulation based on 2014 data from a real HPC data center in Germany, implementing two power management strategies, namely temporal workload shifting and manipulating the CPU frequency. The flexibility extracted is then monetized on two German electricity markets. As a result, in 2014 this data center would have achieved the largest benefit by changing from static electricity pricing to dynamic EPEX prices without changing their power profile. Through demand response they might have created an additional gross benefit of 4% of the power bill on the secondary reserve market. In a sensitivity analysis, however, it could be shown that these results are largely dependent on specific parameters as service level agreements and job heterogeneity. The results show that even though concrete simulations can evaluate demand response activities of individual data centers, the proposed modeling framework helps to understand their relevance from a system-wide viewpoint.

This textbook is the first of its kind to comprehensively describe the energy Internet, a vast network that efficiently supplies electricity to anyone anywhere and is an internet based wide area network for information and energy fusion. The chapters are organized into five parts: Architecture and Design, Energy Switching and Routing, Information and Communication, Energy Management Systems and Energy Market and Trading, and capture the spectrum of this exponential transformation, while also presenting the plethora of open problems that this transformation poses for researchers from mixed academic backgrounds. The scope includes key technologies on distributed energy sources, microgrids, energy storage, solar and wind energy, power grid, smart grid, power quality, power electronics, data centers, distributed computing and networking, cloud computing and big data, and software-defined networking. The book presents the basic principles of energy internet and emphasizes the current research trends in the field of energy Internet at an advanced level. It includes instructor materials, case-studies, and worked examples throughout. This is an ideal resource for students in advanced graduate-level courses and special topics in energy, information and control systems, and is a useful tool for utility engineers who seek an intuitive understanding of the emerging applications of energy Internet.

This report provides an international benchmarking of Germany’s artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem and discusses progress in implementing its national AI strategy. The report draws on quantitative and qualitative data and insights from the OECD.AI Policy Observatory and from the OECD Programme on AI in Work, Innovation, Productivity and Skills (AI-WIPS) – an OECD research programme financed by the German Federal Government – and results from a series of interviews with a wide range of stakeholders in Germany. The review discusses Germany’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges in AI, and provides recommendations to steer AI policy in Germany in the coming years. The evidence is presented according to the core focus areas outlined in Germany’s national AI strategy, which include: 1) minds; 2) research; 3) transfer and applications; 4) the world of work; 5) policy and regulatory frameworks; and 6) society. Furthermore, the report discusses AI infrastructure and it includes three sector spotlights on AI in the public sector, AI and environmental sustainability and AI and healthcare.

Now there is a comprehensive reference to provide tools on implementing an energy audit for any type of facility. Containing forms, checklists and handy working aids, this book is for anyone implementing an energy audit. Accounting procedures, rate of return, analysis and software programs are included to provide evaluation tools for audit recommendations. Technologies for electrical, mechanical and building systems are covered in detail.

Data centers have become the backbone of our modern digital world, powering the vast array of applications and services that we rely on daily. These critical infrastructures demand a comprehensive and robust electrical design to ensure reliable power delivery and minimize downtime. This book delves into the intricacies of data center electrical design, providing a comprehensive guide for engineers, architects, and IT professionals involved in the planning, design, and implementation of these critical systems. The book begins by introducing the fundamental principles of data center electrical design, emphasizing the importance of aligning electrical systems with the overall objectives and requirements of the data center. It then delves into the intricacies of data center electrical system components, covering primary infrastructure, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), power distribution units (PDUs), and cabling and wiring systems. Subsequent chapters explore the design of power distribution architectures, covering tiered power distribution schemes, scalability considerations, and redundancy and failover strategies. The book then shifts focus to the critical aspects of reliability and efficiency in data center electrical design. It examines power quality issues, fault tolerance measures, energy efficiency strategies, environmental considerations, and sustainable solutions. The following chapters introduce the tools and processes employed in data center electrical design. This includes exploring electrical design software packages, 3D modeling and simulation tools, compliance with relevant electrical codes and standards, and the peer review and approval process. To illustrate the practical application of these concepts, the book presents case studies of designing data center electrical systems for high-performance computing (HPC) facilities and implementing sustainable data center electrical designs. Finally, it explores the emerging trends in data center electrical design, including the integration of renewable energy sources, energy storage solutions, advanced metering and monitoring capabilities, data-driven optimization, and predictive maintenance strategies. This book is intended to serve as a valuable resource for engineers, architects, and IT professionals seeking a comprehensive understanding of data center electrical design. It provides a practical and well-structured guide, covering the fundamental principles, design considerations, and emerging technologies shaping the future of this critical domain.

Advances in Clean Energy Technologies presents the latest advanced approaches toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy environment. Editor Kalam Azad and his team of expert contributors focus on recent developments in the field of clean energy technologies, sustainable zero emission resources, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, as well as clean energy policy and markets. This well-rounded reference includes an authoritative view on control and storage solutions specific to medium and large-scale industries, advanced approaches to modeling, and experimental investigations on clean energy technologies. Those working in and researching clean energy and sustainability will obtain detailed understanding of a variety of zero emission energy production and conversion approaches, as well as important socio-economic and environmental considerations that can be applied to their own unique power generation settings. Presents an exclusive analysis on advanced approaches of modeling and experimental investigations of clean energy technologies, including solar, wind, ocean, and hybrid systems Includes an authoritative and cross-disciplinary view on energy policy and energy markets Helps readers develop an understanding of concepts and solutions to global issues surrounding sustainability in medium-large scale energy industries Offers detailed understanding of a variety of zero emission energy production and conversion approaches