Case study: Telecom Company
Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) improvement project
Executive summary
Jaffer Business Systems, being one of the largest IT Services and Solution providers, has always taken pride in resolving the most challenging and painstaking issues for our customers. In one such daunting collaboration with a telecom giant, JBS took on the task of conducting a comprehensive audit of their multi-purpose, multi-million dollar and highly densely populated data centers. The key objective was to look into infrastructural, technical & operational inefficiencies (HVAC & Electrical Power) in their data center and bring them up to par with the latest TIA-942/Uptime standards.
Data center audit
Recently, JBS introduced a new paradigm of Customer Service, Data Center - Audit for its' valued customers. In this service, we analyze the Electrical, Mechanical & Architectural components of the Data Center and share a comprehensive report. We at JBS, have decided to provide this service free of cost for the time being to our customers, as a gesture of goodwill, and help mitigate any preventable causes for data center outage; hence, preventing any potential loss of revenue. This respective client's audit highlighted the shortcomings in their electrical infrastructure, in accordance with the globally established Tier III standards.
Initiation of PUE improvement project
Based on the in-depth analysis from the Data Center Audit, JBS proposed an optimized cooling solution that would not only ensure the reduction of operational cost but also a reduction in system load by 140kW. Along with providing solutions for improving the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) Index from 1.85 to 1.60, about a 10% improvement thus improving cooling losses. The solution not only promised significant savings in CAPEX by eliminating the need for Power System Infrastructure Upgrade as it was running beyond its maximum allowable capacity but also to make the data centers more efficient by saving PKR 27,000,000 annually in OPEX with respect to their electricity consumption.
Benefits of data center audit service
- Improving HVAC Efficiency of your Data Center via minimizing cooling losses and optimized configurations
- Reduction in overall OPEX of Data Center Operations
- Improving Power Usage Effectiveness
- Compliance of ANSI/TIA-942 Standards
Remidial works: action performed
The remedial works were performed in the following categories:
How the inefficient cooling issue was solved
Containment Works
Air-mixing issue was resolved by locally fabricating MS steel structure & poly carbonated sheets to form a physical barrier between hot & cold to eliminate the possibility of air-mixing and contributed towards improving HVAC efficiency.
HVAC System Re-configuration
The temperature set point of all HVAC units were changed from 18 °C to 23 °C. This ultimately led to lesser power consumption as the cooling unit's compressors stayed on for shorter period of time now.
Outdoor (HVAC) Shading Works
Locally fabricated MS Steel structure with Green House Shading was erected over operational HVAC Outdoor units to curb the impact of heat and bring down temperature as much as 5 °C contributing positively towards system efficiency.
Results of PUE improvement project
One of the most significant impacts achieved by taking on this project was total load savings achieved. The total difference in load from Sep through Oct has been recorded to be 345kW, with overall facility PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) has been improved from 2.06 to 1.84. While the net PUE of the Data Center has improved from 1.9 to 1.65. Most of the load reduction was achieved as a direct impact of remedial works performed, with reduced ambient temperature being a contributing factor. There is a direct co-relation between Power Loads and changing ambient temperature.
The load comparison was made between October 2019, 2020 & 2021 in similar ambient & seasonal parameters. The results show a significant difference between Total & HVAC load while IT load changed marginally. We can conclude with certainty that load savings of 120 kW have been achieved.
Prior to remedial works, 35 cooling units with a total install base of 2275kW were operational while after completing the project the number of operational units was reduced to 27, reducing the total HVAC installed capacity to 1750kW all the while maintaining the required temperature & humidity across all IT halls.
This venture not only further cemented our foothold in the market but also opened up a new paradigm in data center services which no other system integrator offers.
Results post completion of project
- Data centers are now able to support more ICT load with the same power infrastructure
- The company is now saving PKR 30,000 annually instead of the initial promise of PKR 27,000
- The saving is on a recurring basis for an initial investment of only PKR 30.8 million
- The HVAC load decreased as HVAC efficiency was improved due to installation of cold aisle containments
About us
Jaffer Business Systems (JBS) is an IT solutions provider and systems integrator with a mission to solve business challenges by promoting a culture of excellence, vitality and innovation. Our vision is to strive for customer excellence and to continue serving as one of the leading IT companies.