HP Unveils Net-Zero Energy Data Center

HP has illustrated an architecture designed for businesses that will reduce power usage in data centers.

According to research released by HP Labs, the new architecture utilizes local renewable resources while managing workloads for the most efficient schedule. The research claims to reduce energy usage by 30 percent, and reduce the need for power grids by more than 80 percent via renewable resources such as wind, solar and hydro.

"Information technology has the power to be an equalizer across societies globally, but the cost of IT services, and by extension the cost of energy, is prohibitive and inhibits widespread adoption," said Cullen Bash, distinguished technologist, HP, and interim director, Sustainable Ecosystems Research Group, HP Labs. "The HP Net-Zero Energy Data Center not only aims to minimize the environmental impact of computing, but also has a goal of reducing energy costs associated with data-center operations to extend the reach of IT accessibility globally."

The HP Net-Zero Energy Data Center architecture works by efficiently scheduling workloads based on available renewable resources; such as sunlight during daylight hours. As a result, solar energy can be used to power less urgent operations while reducing overall power costs.

The integrated management architecture behind the HP Net-Zero Energy Data Center is based on four IT modules provided by HP Labs:

• Prediction Module: Leverages powerful predictive analytics software to forecast the availability and cost of critical resources, such as renewable energy and IT workload demand.
• Planning Module: Delivers an optimization algorithm that balances workload scheduling with high-level operational goals, such as achieving net-zero energy operation, enabling organizations to schedule workloads based on resource availability, while meeting data-center operational goals.
• Execution Module: Enables organizations to manage workload and energy consumption in real time according to performance requirements and data center operational objectives.
• Verification and Reporting Module: Identifies and remediates misalignment between the plan and execution, ensuring plan accuracy.

HP hopes that “Sustainable Data Centers” will provide energy and services at the lowest cost with lowest impact on the environment.