In practice, the technologies and solutions such as holistic automation for such a computer center will be developed and stabilized over the next four to five years. So they can be implemented in a concrete project only gradually. We recommend the definition of KPIs for the seven factors mentioned above as a way to launch a continuous improvement process. Otherwise, it will not be possible to measure how the improvements are implemented and what effects they have over this time period.

So computer centers are continuing to develop. Sourcing and provider options, alongside the optimization of energy ­efficiency, virtualization measures, availability, ITIL processes, or automation, are playing an increasingly greater role. General strategies such as the green enterprise data center with its ­dynamic and adaptive structures will determine the appearance of computer centers and server rooms for the next ten years. Cloud computing will also have a major role to play as a new structuring, business, and marketing element.

Standards for GreenICT and energy efficiency elements which will go into effect in the coming years are being developed at the national (VDI/DKE), European (CENELEC Code of Conduct) and international (BICSI) levels. This will in turn lead to a simplification of processes for bringing about compatibility of technologies – and that is what will ultimately making savings realizable on a general scale.

What we can learn from the telecommunications sector

The telecommunications sector shows a completely different world: the classic network operation center of the fixed network telecommunications providers or the mobile switching center of the mobile network providers are highly efficient and ­designed for optimal use of energy within themselves thanks to the ­extreme level of manufacturer standardization. Perhaps we could learn a lesson from the solutions in the telecommunications sector and take over ideas and concepts for the even greater optimization of the GreenICT GEDCs.

Power & Air Solutions (PASM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG, operates about 100,000 systems to secure availability of ICT technology – about 40,000 HVAC ­systems and 35,000 GEV systems. The subject of PASM’s business is the manufacturer of energy-based products with electric current, availability, and air conditioning as well as the entire electric power procurement for the Telekom corporation. In doing its work, PASM purchases about 0.6% of the total ­German consumption of power on the wholesale market as well as directly at the EEX (European Energy Exchange) in Leipzig. A project for the identification of measures was initiated for the optimization of energy requirements at the technical locations.