Comments on: Google Data Centers More Efficient Than the Industry Average http://gigaom.com/2008/10/01/google-data-centers-more-efficient-than-the-industry-average/ Trusted Insights and Conversations on the Next Wave of Technology Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:36:02 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: I’ve got my head (and data) in the clouds! « Rants, Rambles, and Rhinos http://gigaom.com/2008/10/01/google-data-centers-more-efficient-than-the-industry-average/#comment-967894 I’ve got my head (and data) in the clouds! « Rants, Rambles, and Rhinos Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:32:54 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/?p=23222#comment-967894 <p>[...] they better understand how to manage your data and have more stable computers than you do. Google has a lot better plan for outages and other factors than I [...]</p> [...] they better understand how to manage your data and have more stable computers than you do. Google has a lot better plan for outages and other factors than I [...]

]]> By: Constrained Power Grids Zap Sales at 3Par http://gigaom.com/2008/10/01/google-data-centers-more-efficient-than-the-industry-average/#comment-960028 Constrained Power Grids Zap Sales at 3Par Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:30:35 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/?p=23222#comment-960028 <p>[...] grid in major metropolitan markets. The need for megawatts has affected the data center industry as power costs and savings have become a big topic. For example, earlier this month, the National Security Agency said it will locate a new data [...]</p> [...] grid in major metropolitan markets. The need for megawatts has affected the data center industry as power costs and savings have become a big topic. For example, earlier this month, the National Security Agency said it will locate a new data [...]

]]> By: A Key to Google’s Data Center Efficiency: One Backup Battery Per Server http://gigaom.com/2008/10/01/google-data-centers-more-efficient-than-the-industry-average/#comment-935350 A Key to Google’s Data Center Efficiency: One Backup Battery Per Server Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:06:17 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/?p=23222#comment-935350 <p>[...] the geekiest, yet often obsessed-about, aspects of Google’s innovations is its data centers. Up until recently, the company has been largely secretive about its data center technology and locations. But the [...]</p> [...] the geekiest, yet often obsessed-about, aspects of Google’s innovations is its data centers. Up until recently, the company has been largely secretive about its data center technology and locations. But the [...]

]]> By: Why Pick On Google? How Green Are We The People? http://gigaom.com/2008/10/01/google-data-centers-more-efficient-than-the-industry-average/#comment-921471 Why Pick On Google? How Green Are We The People? Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:00:36 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/?p=23222#comment-921471 <p>[...] be one of the most energy-efficient Internet companies. It recently released a report that boasted the energy efficiency of its data centers compared to typical data centers, though there were some doubts about the veracity of its [...]</p> [...] be one of the most energy-efficient Internet companies. It recently released a report that boasted the energy efficiency of its data centers compared to typical data centers, though there were some doubts about the veracity of its [...]

]]> By: Tech Firms Establish MPG For The Internet - GigaOM http://gigaom.com/2008/10/01/google-data-centers-more-efficient-than-the-industry-average/#comment-910561 Tech Firms Establish MPG For The Internet - GigaOM Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:00:35 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/?p=23222#comment-910561 <p>[...] cost of buying the data center gear; because the search engine giant uses so much power, it has a major data center efficiency plan underway. Telecom network operators could find similarly positive power savings with [...]</p> [...] cost of buying the data center gear; because the search engine giant uses so much power, it has a major data center efficiency plan underway. Telecom network operators could find similarly positive power savings with [...]

]]> By: techhermit http://gigaom.com/2008/10/01/google-data-centers-more-efficient-than-the-industry-average/#comment-902693 techhermit Fri, 03 Oct 2008 03:58:53 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/?p=23222#comment-902693 <p>I fear that this post is more aimed at marketing material than real science. The math simply doesnt add up and their definition of PUE is highly circumspect and they dont event use the conventional use of the metric instead opting to create their own version of it which excludes components. I applaud their effort, but its obviously gamed. They dont even include smaller facilities which would naturally raise their average numbers. I have a more detailed post at:</p> <p>http://techhermit.wordpress.com/2008/10/02/google-shoots-but-misses-pue-target/</p> I fear that this post is more aimed at marketing material than real science. The math simply doesnt add up and their definition of PUE is highly circumspect and they dont event use the conventional use of the metric instead opting to create their own version of it which excludes components. I applaud their effort, but its obviously gamed. They dont even include smaller facilities which would naturally raise their average numbers. I have a more detailed post at:

http://techhermit.wordpress.com/2008/10/02/google-shoots-but-misses-pue-target/

]]> By: Ron Croce http://gigaom.com/2008/10/01/google-data-centers-more-efficient-than-the-industry-average/#comment-902637 Ron Croce Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:19:20 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/?p=23222#comment-902637 <p>I’m excited to see Google take such a strong approach to promoting greater data center efficiency. But, I think what’s lost in this discussion is one of the most fundamental issues with the efficiency of a data center: power distribution. Google does call it out on their website(http://www.google.com/corporate/datacenters/step1.html), saying, “Up to a third of the total energy consumed by a typical server is wasted before reaching the computing components. The majority of these losses occur when converting electricity from one kind to another. The power supply, which converts the AC voltage coming from a standard outlet to a set of low DC voltages, is where most of the energy is lost.” While technologies like “evaporative cooling techniques” are certainly important in taking excessive heat, by fixing the problem at the root - inefficient facility-level electric distribution - you can generate less heat in the first place (which means less to cool). This occurs because, as Google notes, there are conversions (AC to DC), as well as transformations (higher voltage to lower voltage), that need to take place in a data center, which create excess heat at each point of change. With AC power distribution you are looking at 5-7 conversions and transformations, opposed to 2 with DC power distribution - reducing energy consumption anywhere from 15-50%. When it comes to energy efficiency in the data center, I’m as big a fan as anyone of unique and inventive technologies, but if you simply start at the source (electricity), you may be surprised how far you’ll get (www.validusdc.com)</p> I’m excited to see Google take such a strong approach to promoting greater data center efficiency. But, I think what’s lost in this discussion is one of the most fundamental issues with the efficiency of a data center: power distribution. Google does call it out on their website(http://www.google.com/corporate/datacenters/step1.html), saying, “Up to a third of the total energy consumed by a typical server is wasted before reaching the computing components. The majority of these losses occur when converting electricity from one kind to another. The power supply, which converts the AC voltage coming from a standard outlet to a set of low DC voltages, is where most of the energy is lost.” While technologies like “evaporative cooling techniques” are certainly important in taking excessive heat, by fixing the problem at the root – inefficient facility-level electric distribution – you can generate less heat in the first place (which means less to cool). This occurs because, as Google notes, there are conversions (AC to DC), as well as transformations (higher voltage to lower voltage), that need to take place in a data center, which create excess heat at each point of change. With AC power distribution you are looking at 5-7 conversions and transformations, opposed to 2 with DC power distribution – reducing energy consumption anywhere from 15-50%. When it comes to energy efficiency in the data center, I’m as big a fan as anyone of unique and inventive technologies, but if you simply start at the source (electricity), you may be surprised how far you’ll get (www.validusdc.com)

]]> By: Google: un caso de éxito en Green IT » El Blog de Enrique Dans http://gigaom.com/2008/10/01/google-data-centers-more-efficient-than-the-industry-average/#comment-902577 Google: un caso de éxito en Green IT » El Blog de Enrique Dans Thu, 02 Oct 2008 06:32:23 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/?p=23222#comment-902577 <p>[...] más optimistas de la EPA fijados para dentro de tres años. Lo comenta también GigaOM, “Google data centers more efficient than the industry average“. Todo un buen ejemplo de cómo plantearse un objetivo y cumplirlo: para una compañía como [...]</p> [...] más optimistas de la EPA fijados para dentro de tres años. Lo comenta también GigaOM, “Google data centers more efficient than the industry average“. Todo un buen ejemplo de cómo plantearse un objetivo y cumplirlo: para una compañía como [...]

]]> By: Google’s “Clean Power by 2030? Plan Could Save U.S. $1 Trillion | Eco Friendly Mag http://gigaom.com/2008/10/01/google-data-centers-more-efficient-than-the-industry-average/#comment-902560 Google’s “Clean Power by 2030? Plan Could Save U.S. $1 Trillion | Eco Friendly Mag Thu, 02 Oct 2008 03:34:29 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/?p=23222#comment-902560 <p>[...] has taken such a high-profile leadership role in energy for a few reasons. As Om pointed out today, Google uses a massive amount of energy to run data centers for its search and computing services. [...]</p> [...] has taken such a high-profile leadership role in energy for a few reasons. As Om pointed out today, Google uses a massive amount of energy to run data centers for its search and computing services. [...]

]]> By: steveballmer http://gigaom.com/2008/10/01/google-data-centers-more-efficient-than-the-industry-average/#comment-902542 steveballmer Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:21:37 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/?p=23222#comment-902542 <p>I have some swamp-land you people may be interested in too!</p> I have some swamp-land you people may be interested in too!

]]> By: vicaya http://gigaom.com/2008/10/01/google-data-centers-more-efficient-than-the-industry-average/#comment-902541 vicaya Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:20:48 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/?p=23222#comment-902541 <p>Well if you have a data center in Alaska with excellent air-flow design, I suspect you don't need to spend anything on additional cooling other than server fans.</p> <p>It's a fascinating read, which unfortunately skimmed a lot of details.</p> Well if you have a data center in Alaska with excellent air-flow design, I suspect you don’t need to spend anything on additional cooling other than server fans.

It’s a fascinating read, which unfortunately skimmed a lot of details.

]]> By: Google’s “Clean Power by 2030″ Plan Aims To Save U.S. $1 Trillion « Earth2Tech http://gigaom.com/2008/10/01/google-data-centers-more-efficient-than-the-industry-average/#comment-902531 Google’s “Clean Power by 2030″ Plan Aims To Save U.S. $1 Trillion « Earth2Tech Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:08:52 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/?p=23222#comment-902531 <p>[...] has taken such a high-profile leadership role in energy for a few reasons. As Om pointed out today, Google uses a massive amount of energy to run data centers for its search and computing services. [...]</p> [...] has taken such a high-profile leadership role in energy for a few reasons. As Om pointed out today, Google uses a massive amount of energy to run data centers for its search and computing services. [...]

]]> By: Daniel Golding http://gigaom.com/2008/10/01/google-data-centers-more-efficient-than-the-industry-average/#comment-902521 Daniel Golding Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:11:40 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/?p=23222#comment-902521 <p>Some of Google's numbers are suspect. While many are believable, their data for facility "B" is outside the envelope of current engineering. And while their search algorithms are wonderful, their mechanical engineers are just like the rest of us. PUEs of 1.2 in a very large facility with lots of sensors, in the right locations: possible. PUE's of 1.15 or below? Not with our current cooling technology.</p> Some of Google’s numbers are suspect. While many are believable, their data for facility “B” is outside the envelope of current engineering. And while their search algorithms are wonderful, their mechanical engineers are just like the rest of us. PUEs of 1.2 in a very large facility with lots of sensors, in the right locations: possible. PUE’s of 1.15 or below? Not with our current cooling technology.

]]> By: Om Malik http://gigaom.com/2008/10/01/google-data-centers-more-efficient-than-the-industry-average/#comment-902506 Om Malik Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:39:51 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/?p=23222#comment-902506 <p>NOW why would they do that? You comment doesn't make any sense.</p> NOW why would they do that? You comment doesn’t make any sense.

]]> By: jjrzut http://gigaom.com/2008/10/01/google-data-centers-more-efficient-than-the-industry-average/#comment-902504 jjrzut Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:30:07 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/?p=23222#comment-902504 <p>I wonder if they are using <a href="http://www.hyperconnectivity.com/en/saveenergy/index.html" rel="nofollow">Nortel</a> products to help them achieve this result.</p> I wonder if they are using Nortel products to help them achieve this result.

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