Big players in the data center environment are crying about ASHRAE standard

Editorial

Tuesday, 13 April 2010 15:41

Written by Bob DeCoufle

Give me a break. The big players (in terms of data center square feet they operate) are crying over the recommendations that ASHRAE is suggesting to the building energy code (Standard 90.1) with a proposed requirement that an efficient cooling system must use airside economizers, this requirement will include all commercial buildings including data centers. Some of the names penned to the letter sent to ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers) include Google, Microsoft and Digital Realty Trust to name a few. These companies are up an arms stating that they recognize the benefits of free cooling, but its use does not necessarily guarantee an efficient system. What better way to be energy efficient then to use the outside air without mechanically altering it? Granted not all data centers are in the best location to utilize economizers. In addition, some methods of delivering that free cooling can be less efficient than a mechanical method. This is part of the argument posted by the data center giants. What is disappointing is that these giants have not gotten together to help innovate or fund new innovations in data center free cooling or cooling in general. Each of these users will agree that free cooling or the use of economizers is a good practice, but there argument over the requirement of using economizers is a bit much. It should be the small guy who will need to spend a bit more for a mechanical unit that features an economizer that should be barking.

Let's be honest, do you mean to tell me that people purchase economizers and use them 100% of the time? Maybe if you are in Iceland. What if you purchase your units and never choose to use that feature at all. C'mon there are ways around everything, but is it the right thing to do, of course not. We should use economizers when we can and purchasing your units with the feature does not necessarily mean you will use them all the time. If it becomes a requirement then we will likely see that all mechanical data center units will have it built in as a standard…is that so horrible.

I guess we should applaud this group for wanting something better for the industry and for fighting for the small guy. Let's examine that statement because what this group suggested as a better solution is pointing to the Green Grid's PUE metric as a solution. Boy that solves it all. Nothing against the PUE metric which is certainly very useful, but have we not already learned that there are ways around that as well, how about something with a bit more teeth? How about creating some checks and balances for the industry instead of pointing to the only metric this industry seems to be in love with. For heaven's sake these are the giants of the data center industry…you can do better than that!

Ok, so maybe it is about no one wanting to be told how they should do something? There is no question that these big players are very protective of their data center environments. Who knows this type of requirement may shed light on some creative methods that they are cooling their data centers that they do not want exposed. Nah, why would they do that?

Should we applaud them, thank them or maybe someone from Google or DRT should be sitting on the ASHRAE committee or Board to put in the correct wording or recommendations because they know best.

Ah, I give up. To me it smells like a publicity stunt that should have been taken directly to ASHRAE without fanfare when the revision draft was initially put forth. Instead it has become a look at me “I know best” marketing angle that we may one day be thankful for, but for now it does nothing except make our small data centers smaller. Oh, one last thing data center giants, how about writing a letter to the manufacturers of IT equipment to make their products more energy efficient and require less cooling.

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