Evaluation and Modeling of Data Center Energy Efficiency Measures for an Existing Office Building

Abstract

This paper evaluates energy efficiency measures in a data center using a calibrated energy model. In the study, an existing office building with embedded data center located at Laramie, Wyoming was chosen. A combination of SketchUp, the OpenStudio plug-in, and EnergyPlus version 8.6.0 were used in modeling, calibration, and annual energy simulation of the building model. Five energy efficiency measures are evaluated by controlling the set point of humidity, chilled water temperature, supply air temperature, return air temperature and enabling free cooling in the data center’s cooling system. The impact of the energy efficiency measures is evaluated in terms of "total chilled water energy use". The results of the study indicate a potential data center chilled water energy savings rangingupto to 5.43% by tweaking the setpoints of return air temperature. Also, enabling free cooling awards a huge 76.58% redution in chilled water energy use and a holistic implementation of all discussed measures would save chilled water energy upto 93.68%. Nomenclature/Abbreviations ASHRAE – American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers CRAH – Computer Room Air Handler CHW- Chilled Water EEM – Energy Efficiency Measure °F – degree(s) Fahrenheit HVAC – Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning IT – Information Technology PUE – Power Usage Effectiveness UPS – Uninterruptible Power Supply VAV – Variable Air Volume VFD – Variable Frequency Drive