How Efficient Power Supplies Reduce Data Center Power Consumption

A new white paper from Advanced Energy explores how global data centers can achieve their sustainability goals by deploying power supplies optimized for efficiency and power density.

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One of the challenges global data centers face in today’s fast paced environment is the need to meet their customer’s growing processing and storage needs, while also making data center operations more energy efficient and sustainable. According to a new white paper from Advanced Energy, “electricity is often a large portion of operating expenses and while minimizing power consumption can reduce costs, it can also minimize the impact on the environment.”

The paper notes that data center efficiency strategies should include an evaluation of the facility’s rack power supplies. The author notes that “as the last stage in power conversion, low efficiency at the power supply can cascade back through the entire facility power distribution.”

Every 1% efficiency loss at the power supply unit will require more than 1% additional power to accomplish the same output. Efficient power supplies help data centers to achieve their sustainability goals. – Advanced Energy, “Achieving Energy Efficiency Goals in Data Centers“

By deploying highly efficient, space saving power supplies, data centers can optimize overall system performance and density in a cost-effective manner. The paper illustrates the cost savings benefits of an efficient power supply – which can be significant. In the scenario presented, a data center could save nearly $100,000 in electricity costs per year, which is the equivalent of nearly 23,000 barrels of oil.

The author also discusses the benefits of transitioning from 12 V to 48 V power shelves, noting that “48 V offers inherent efficiency gains, with 4x less current and 16x lower distribution losses than 12 V.”

As more regulations are put in place in the U.S., Europe, and beyond, it will be critical that data centers look for new ways to reduce power consumption and improve efficiencies. According to Advanced Energy, efficient power supplies can help data centers meet and exceed those regulatory requirements.

Download the full report to learn more about how efficient power supplies can help your data center meet its energy efficiency goals.