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The Carbon Content of Power: A Primer for Data Center Operators

The Carbon Content of Power: A Primer for Data Center Operators. Uptime Institute Symposium 2010 May 17 , 2010 With carbon reporting and regulation on the horizon, data center managers should understand the carbon content of power.

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The Carbon Content of Power: A Primer for Data Center Operators

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  1. The Carbon Content of Power:A Primer for Data Center Operators Uptime Institute Symposium 2010 May 17, 2010 With carbon reporting and regulation on the horizon, data center managers should understand the carbon content of power. Current information sources are inadequate, and data centers are likely to overstate their carbon footprint. Mark Bramfitt, P.E. Consultant to Utility & IT Industries markbramfitt.com markbramfitt.com

  2. Topics Carbon accounting and regulation is coming Information sources have limited value Load profiles matter What is needed to begin accurately accounting for carbon markbramfitt.com

  3. Impending Reporting & Regulations • Carbon accounting and reporting presently voluntary in US, but increasingly prevalent • Some states setting carbon reduction targets that may be basis for eventual regulation • Federal government continuing to evaluate cap and trade and/or carbon taxation markbramfitt.com

  4. Federal Government • Energy Information Administration • Features information by region and state • EPA • Carbon calculator by zip code • Utilities: • Carbon Calculators • Power content labels Information Sources Perhaps most useful for comparing regions or utilities on a relative basis, when considering where to develop new data centers. markbramfitt.com

  5. Power Content Labels Required in California, they can be quite revealing about the differences in utility generation portfolios This is an example from the Sacramento Municipal Utility District • Shows power generation portfolio and comparison to CA overall • Also shows available “Greenenergy®” options markbramfitt.com

  6. Comparing CA Utility Gen Portfolios Complete evaluation of CA utilities found in Carbon Content of Power: New Insight Needed For Data Centers markbramfitt.com

  7. Additions to Generating Portfolios To evaluate the future, look to renewable generation requirements. markbramfitt.com

  8. California “loading order” for new generation resources: • Energy efficiency • Demand response • Renewable • Non-renewable Some States Have Stricter Standards California has very aggressive renewable requirement: 33% by 2020. CPUC has also established “loading order” for new generation. markbramfitt.com

  9. Operate base load plants first • Operate cheapest sources first • Use cycling units to meet intermediate demands • Use peak units only when necessary • Mix renewable in to meet regulatory requirements Economic vs. Environmental Dispatch Utilities have conflicting requirements for dispatching their generation assets: Operational Cost Environmental markbramfitt.com

  10. Cost vs. Cleanliness There is no rule of thumb: cheap power can be carbon free expensive power can be carbon free most carbon-intensive is in the middle markbramfitt.com

  11. Power delivered in off-peak periods is likely to be cleanest, and certainly cheapest • Power delivered on-peak is likely to have the highest carbon content, and certainly is most expensive And yet, utility carbon calculators only give you one number for carbon per kWh… Grand Result With some exceptions, these rules will hold true for utility power markbramfitt.com

  12. Data centers have close to a unity load factor • Especially true for high PUE DCs • Low PUE DCs may have more of a peaking load shape, but not by much • Think of the other outlier cases Utilities need to provide a time-valued carbon content signal for accurate accounting Data Centers Likely to Overstate Footprint Using carbon content calculators based on averages is inaccurate for high load factor customers. markbramfitt.com

  13. Purchase power in a deregulated market • Purchase offsets • Participate in utility offset programs • Self-generate Sourcing Cleaner Power There are opportunities to mitigate the carbon impacts of power use markbramfitt.com

  14. Economizers deliver energy savings during off-peak and intermediate periods • Power delivery and conditioning deliver base load energy savings • Improved cooling equipment efficiency reduces peak load Efficiency & Conservation Impacts Measures that reduce peak-period use will have the highest carbon reduction impacts They’ll also have the better financial return as rates are highest during peak periods! markbramfitt.com

  15. Challenges Utilities do not provide “time-of-use” carbon data As a high load factor user, data centers are likely to overstate their carbon impacts Some efficiency opportunities will accrue relatively lower carbon reductions markbramfitt.com

  16. Discussion Mark bramfitt, p.e. 3055 Gough Street, #100 San Francisco, CA 94123 Phone 415.407.6291 mark@markbramfitt.com information technology utilities data centers  energy efficiency demand response  smart grid program design  trainingstrategic engagement impact markbramfitt.com

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