Energy efficiency: what is PUE?
PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) is one of the key metrics for assessing how efficiently a data center uses its energy. It is calculated by dividing the total amount of energy used by the data center (including energy used by servers, storage, network equipment, cooling systems and lighting) by the energy used by the IT equipment (server, storage, network).
The PUE of a data center is expressed as a ratio. The lower the PUE, the more efficient the data center is in terms of energy consumption. A PUE of 1.0 means that all the energy used by the data center is consumed by the IT equipment, which is the ideal situation. While a PUE of 2.0 means that half of the energy used by the data center is consumed by the IT equipment and the other half by the infrastructure.
PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) is one of the key metrics for assessing how efficiently a data center uses its energy. It is calculated by dividing the total amount of energy used by the data center (including energy used by servers, storage, network equipment, cooling systems and lighting) by the energy used by the IT equipment (server, storage, network).
The PUE of a data center is expressed as a ratio. The lower the PUE, the more efficient the data center is in terms of energy consumption. A PUE of 1.0 means that all the energy used by the data center is consumed by the IT equipment, which is the ideal situation. While a PUE of 2.0 means that half of the energy used by the data center is consumed by the IT equipment and the other half by the infrastructure.
PUE |
Level of Efficieny |
3.0 |
Very inefficient |
2.5 |
Inefficient |
2.0 |
Average |
1.5 |
Efficient |
1,2 |
Very efficient |
Why reduce PUE?
Data centers use a significant amount of energy to operate, especially when the data center is located in an area with high ambient temperatures, or if it must operate at a high power density. The cost of this energy may represent a significant portion of the total operating cost of the data center. Data centers also have a significant environmental impact due to their energy consumption, so reducing PUE can help significantly reduce their carbon footprints.
PUE is therefore an important indicator. It is directly related to the cost of operating the data center and the environmental impact of its energy consumption. A data center with the correct PUE is generally considered more efficient and sustainable. For your information, the global average PUE in 2022 has been estimated at 1.55.
Achieving a low PUE can be a complex and ongoing challenge. There is a balance to be struck between energy efficiency and ensuring that the data center is able to meet the performance and availability requirements of its users.
Data centers use a significant amount of energy to operate, especially when the data center is located in an area with high ambient temperatures, or if it must operate at a high power density. The cost of this energy may represent a significant portion of the total operating cost of the data center. Data centers also have a significant environmental impact due to their energy consumption, so reducing PUE can help significantly reduce their carbon footprints.
PUE is therefore an important indicator. It is directly related to the cost of operating the data center and the environmental impact of its energy consumption. A data center with the correct PUE is generally considered more efficient and sustainable. For your information, the global average PUE in 2022 has been estimated at 1.55.
Achieving a low PUE can be a complex and ongoing challenge. There is a balance to be struck between energy efficiency and ensuring that the data center is able to meet the performance and availability requirements of its users.
Energy efficiency in our Tier IV Aurora data center
Aqua Ray is targeting carbon neutrality. Our main Aurora data center has an efficient PUE of < 1.39 for the year 2022. Quarterly results include:
Aqua Ray is targeting carbon neutrality. Our main Aurora data center has an efficient PUE of < 1.39 for the year 2022. Quarterly results include:
How to reduce PUE?
Several factors can impact the PUE of a data center:
Several factors can impact the PUE of a data center:
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the efficiency of the power and cooling systems;
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the design and configuration of the data center infrastructure;
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ambient temperature and humidity.
As previously stated, data centers require a significant amount of energy to operate. Reducing their energy consumption can be a challenge.
One way to improve the PUE of a data center is to optimize the cooling system. To do this, you must:
As previously stated, data centers require a significant amount of energy to operate. Reducing their energy consumption can be a challenge.
One way to improve the PUE of a data center is to optimize the cooling system. To do this, you must:
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design the cooling system to minimize energy consumption;
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monitoring and adjusting the system on a regular basis to maximize efficiency
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implementing measures such as shutting down equipment when it is not in use.
Another important factor in improving data center PUE is proper maintenance and monitoring. Regularly checking and adjusting data center systems ensures that they are operating optimally, identifying and then resolving any issues that may affect PUE.
Another important factor in improving data center PUE is proper maintenance and monitoring. Regularly checking and adjusting data center systems ensures that they are operating optimally, identifying and then resolving any issues that may affect PUE.
In addition to the PUE
It is necessary to ensure that the infrastructure, such as servers and storage systems, is designed and configured to be as efficient as possible. This may involve:
It is necessary to ensure that the infrastructure, such as servers and storage systems, is designed and configured to be as efficient as possible. This may involve:
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the use of energy efficient hardware ;
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using virtualization to consolidate servers and reduce energy consumption;
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using energy saving features such as power management software.
Evaluating the origin and carbon impact of the electricity consumed is important to measure its environmental impact. Using renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro) with a very low carbon impact helps reduce the environmental impact of data centers. However, today, the sources generally used to power them have a significant carbon impact, whether fossil fuels or nuclear energy.
Evaluating the origin and carbon impact of the electricity consumed is important to measure its environmental impact. Using renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro) with a very low carbon impact helps reduce the environmental impact of data centers. However, today, the sources generally used to power them have a significant carbon impact, whether fossil fuels or nuclear energy.
Even if France has not yet reached its climate objectives, the French energy mix is considered one of the cleanest in the world in terms of carbon impact.
Even if France has not yet reached its climate objectives, the French energy mix is considered one of the cleanest in the world in terms of carbon impact.