Data centres: all-round action to consume less

Energy-guzzling nerve centres

Without data centres, information systems and the digital economy would not be possible. The centres, which function 24/7, host companies’ servers, business applications and data. To power the servers and their cooling systems, these data centres use huge amounts of energy.

Effective consumption

At its two data centres in Normandy, EDF audited every item of energy consumption to improve energy efficiency. The goal is to approach the ideal Power Usage Effectiveness ratio of 1, where every kWh consumed would be accounted for by IT servers only. The ratio is currently 1.74 for the latest data centre, but will gradually improve as its operating capacity is fully used.

Ambitious targets

Since 2014 a 10 GWh reduction has been achieved; EDF is now aiming for a total reduction of 40% by 2018, which equates to an annual saving of 16 GWh. To meet its target, EDF is pulling on two levers: equipment efficiency and optimal air conditioning. Its goal is to be among the first data centres in France to obtain ISO 50001 certification, the international standard for energy performance.