LV Active Energy Management in Data Centers
LV Switchboards and Active Energy Management in Data Centers
Power distribution in data centers is undergoing a transformation, with active energy management leading the charge toward greater efficiency, sustainability, and performance. By leveraging advanced technologies, smart switchboards can optimize power distribution, enhance energy efficiency, and support the integration of renewable energy sources. As data centers grow in scale and complexity, mastering energy management becomes crucial for reducing operational costs and achieving sustainability goals.
October 8, 2024
The expansion of global digitization has resulted in an abundance of digital services impacting almost every facet of contemporary life. Data centers serve as the digital foundation of our increasingly linked society, and the demand for their data processing, storage, and communication services is escalating swiftly.
According to my expert analysis, active energy management is a transformative approach that allows data centers to not only optimize their energy usage but also adapt to the ever-changing demands of power distribution in real time.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimated that global electricity consumption by data centers in 2022 was between 240 and 340 terawatt-hours (TWh), accounting for around 1 to 1.3% of total global electricity demand (IEA, 2023).
This estimation excludes the energy utilized for cryptocurrency mining, which was anticipated to be approximately 110 TWh in 2022, accounting for 0.4% of the annual worldwide electricity consumption. In the United States, data centers consumed 91 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy in 2013, with a projected rise to 140 billion kWh by 2020 [3].
The increased reliance on cloud computing services has resulted in a large increase in investments in data center infrastructure, with the annual global spending topping $200 billion [2]. A major percentage of this cost is directed towards the physical infrastructure needed for power supply, cooling, and room for server equipment.
A survey reported in Nature magazine [1] projects that the overall electricity consumption of the information and communication technology (ICT) sector is predicted to exceed 8000 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2030, as depicted in Figure 1. This statistic is estimated to equal around 20% of worldwide electricity demand.
Within this context, data centers are estimated to contribute around 40% of the ICT sector's energy consumption. Prompted by these changes, there has been a push towards improving the cost efficiency of data center development.
This work is focused on reducing the upfront expenses connected with construction or boosting the power use effectiveness (PUE) to minimize operational expenditures.
Figure 1: Energy forecast of ICT electricity consumption
Energy management in data centers plays a crucial role in supporting sustainable growth by aligning with global sustainability goals. At the core of this system are Low Voltage (LV) switchboards, which I believe are essential for driving this shift.
The increasing pressure from governments, investors, and customers to adopt greener practices has prompted data centers to focus on reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on non-renewable energy sources. Active energy management facilitates the transition toward sustainable operations by enabling data centers to integrate renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind, into their energy mix. By optimizing energy usage and aligning consumption patterns with the availability of renewable energy, data centers can significantly reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.
The Role of LV Switchboards in Active Energy Management
In my expert analysis, these switches are fundamental to the success of active energy management in data centers. Figure 2 displays a block schematic of an electrical distribution system showing the name and the typical position of the electrical distribution equipment in a data center and the power flow path. This diagram is simply an example of an electrical design and seeks to show all the various primary types of equipment utilized and their typical location in a data center. In the actual world, a typical data center electrical architecture has significantly more complexity and diversity than that in Figure 2.
Typically the utility offers a medium voltage (MV) service to a dedicated data center. Then the MV is scaled down to low voltage (LV) using an MV/LV transformer placed in the data center. LV power is supplied to the diverse electrical loads such as IT devices inside the racks, cooling system, lighting, etc via the electrical distribution equipment illustrated in the blocks in Figure 2. Some small data centers are powered via utility pad-mounted transformers at low voltage, while large multi-megawatt data centers might specify the operational voltage level to be high voltage (HV) or MV. The type and placement of the HV/MV substation can be negotiated by the data center owner and the utility [4].
Figure 2: Electrical design of typical data centers
Low-voltage (LV) switchboards serve as the central hub for managing power distribution within data centers, playing a pivotal role in the operation of critical infrastructure. Their primary functions include:
Power distribution
These switchboards route electricity from the main power supply to different parts of the data center, ensuring that all equipment servers, cooling systems, and backup systems receive a stable and reliable power supply.
Monitoring and control
Equipped with advanced sensors and communication systems, modern switch panels allow real-time monitoring of power parameters such as voltage, current, and load, providing data for active energy management.
Protection and safety
Low-voltage switchboards integrate protection mechanisms, such as circuit breakers and surge protection, to safeguard against short circuits, overloads, and electrical faults.
Real-time Power Monitoring and Control
Smart switchboards play a critical role in data centers, enabling real-time power monitoring. Modern Low-voltage switches are equipped with intelligent monitoring systems that track key parameters, including
Energy consumption: Continuous monitoring of power usage across circuits and devices allows data centers to optimize energy efficiency.
Load balancing: Advanced systems distribute electrical loads evenly, preventing overloads that could lead to equipment failure or inefficiencies.
Power quality: Monitoring the voltage, current, and frequency to ensure optimal operating conditions for sensitive IT equipment.
As per my expertise, I can surely say that advanced switchboard designs have revolutionized real-time power monitoring and control in data centers.
By providing continuous, granular insights into energy consumption, these switchboards enable data center operators to monitor power usage across various subsystems in real-time. This level of visibility is crucial for balancing electrical loads, preventing overloading, and ensuring that energy is distributed efficiently throughout the facility.
With the integration of real-time data analytics, facility managers can promptly identify any irregularities in power usage and take corrective action before minor issues escalate into costly outages.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Growth
Modern switches are essential for energy efficiency in data centers by identifying power waste and ensuring energy is only used where needed. Through real-time monitoring and smart load management, they optimize power distribution, detecting inefficiencies like overpowered cooling systems or underutilized equipment.
Automated controls enable dynamic adjustments, ensuring efficient energy use during periods of low demand. In my experience as an energy analyst, I recorded that these energy-efficient systems directly reduce operating costs by lowering electricity consumption and reducing strain on electrical components, which extends their lifespan and minimizes maintenance needs. Optimized power management also reduces heat generation, cutting the energy required for cooling.
In supporting green data center initiatives, smart switch panels enable the integration of renewable energy sources like solar and wind. They improve Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) by minimizing energy waste, helping data centers achieve sustainability targets. Examples include dynamic power capping, which limits power to non-critical systems during peak times, and smart cooling adjustments based on real-time thermal conditions.
Figure 3 highlights global data center energy use trends from 2000 to 2018. Between 2000 and 2005, energy use more than doubled, driven by a rapidly growing number of servers, with minimal improvements in Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) [5]. By 2010, growth slowed due to improved server efficiency and virtualization, which reduced the number of installed servers. By 2018, IT devices, particularly servers and storage, accounted for the largest share of energy use, while network switches used significantly less. Data center infrastructure energy use dropped, thanks to better PUE values.
Despite a sharp rise in IP traffic, computer instances, and storage capacity, overall energy use grew by just 6% from 2010 to 2018. A shift from smaller traditional data centers to larger, more efficient cloud and hyperscale centers was key, with hyperscale data centers increasing energy use by 4.5 times while traditional centers' energy use fell by 56% [6]. Cloud and hyperscale centers, with lower PUE and higher server utilization, improved energy efficiency. Regionally, North America and Asia Pacific dominated energy use, accounting for about 75% in 2018, followed by Western Europe at 20%. Energy management practices in these regions will heavily influence future global data center energy use.
Figure 3: Global data center energy consumption by end use, data center type, and region. (a) Data center energy usage by end use, (b) data center energy use by data center type, and (c) data center energy use by area.
Integration with Renewable Energy Sources
A number of data center operators are pursuing renewable electricity as part of corporate sustainability goals and climate commitments, alongside longstanding energy efficiency initiatives to manage continuing power requirements. These companies are demonstrating that renewable power may be a viable choice for the data center industry, paving the path for additional data center operators to adopt renewables as a climate change mitigation approach. When considering renewable power sources, data centers often confront three primary obstacles.
First, many data center locations may not have direct access to renewable electricity via local grids, either because local renewable resources are limited or because local grids have not expanded renewable generation capacity.
Second, even in places with substantial renewable resources, most data centers do not have sufficient acreage or rooftop space for on-site self-generation, given the high-power requirements of the average data center.
Third, due to the intermittent nature of some renewable power sources (especially solar and wind power), data centers must at least partially rely on local grids for a reliable source of power and/or turn to expensive on-site forms of energy storage to avoid power outages. Low-voltage switch panels play a pivotal role in integrating renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, into data centers' power systems [7].
Facilitating Renewable Energy Integration
These switchboards can manage the seamless integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, into data centers' power systems. They distribute renewable energy efficiently, optimizing its use while reducing dependency on the traditional grid.
Ensuring Uninterrupted Operations
They automatically handle transitions between renewable and traditional energy sources during periods of low renewable availability, ensuring continuous power flow and preventing operational downtime.
Supporting Sustainability Goals
By incorporating renewable energy, modern switchboards help data centers reduce their reliance on non-renewable resources, lower their carbon footprint, and achieve sustainability objectives, such as improving Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and gaining eco-certifications like LEED.
Some large data center operators that have adopted renewable power to date have entered into purchase power agreements (PPAs), which provide off-site renewable power to partially or fully offset on-site power drawn from the local grid as shown in Table 1
Table 1: Renewable energy initiatives of major data center operators.
Predictive Maintenance and Energy Optimization
LV switchboards equipped with real-time data capabilities play a crucial role in predictive maintenance by continuously monitoring the performance and condition of electrical systems. By analyzing data from sensors and other monitoring devices, these switches can identify potential issues such as abnormal temperature spikes, voltage fluctuations, or equipment wear before they escalate into serious problems that lead to downtime. This proactive approach allows data center operators to schedule maintenance activities at optimal times, reducing unexpected outages and improving overall system reliability.
Figure 4: LV switchgear installed in a data center
An example of LV switchgear is shown in Figure 4. The LV switchgear would be fed by the generator if an LV generator was utilized.
The LV switchgear controls the LV power distribution system and disconnects faults in addition to distributing power. Utility and generator switching has historically been accomplished by a device called an automated transfer switch (ATS). LV breakers, rather than the ATS device, are currently being used to do this task. It should be noted that this transferring function takes place at the medium voltage switchgear level in the event of a medium voltage generator.
LV switchgear/switchboard installed in a data center is typically a combination of some of the following functional units: incoming feeder from the secondary side of the MV/LV transformer or LV generators, power control center (PCC, i.e. for downstream UPS), motor control center (MCC, i.e. for pumps), the power factor correction/harmonic filtering and the bus connections.
The following devices are always assembled in LV switchgear: horizontal busbar, vertical busbar, circuit breakers, meters, switches, surge arresters, relays, etc. The following are the key electrical parameters of the LV switchgear. The values for these parameters vary according to local regulations:
Voltage ratings
Two key voltage ratings for LV switchgear are rated voltage and rated lightning impulse voltage. ANSI does not specify the impulse voltage for LV switchgear. For example, an IEC LV switchboard solution may have a rated voltage of 690V and 12kV rated impulse withstand voltage.
Current ratings
The rated current of LV switchgear is always specified by the manufacturer. Another key current rating is the rated short-circuit withstand current similar to the North American National Electric Code’s (NEC) short-circuit current rating (SCCR). For example, an IEC switchgear solution may have a rated current of 5000A and 85kA rated short-circuit withstand current [4].
Reducing the Carbon Footprint with LV Switchboards
The electric power industry is the main source of energy related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions globally and is still strongly dependent upon fossil fuels in many countries [8, 9]. Given their considerable electricity use, data center operators have come under investigation for their possible contributions to climate change and in particular for their chosen electric power providers and electricity generation sources [10]. As demand for data center services develops in the future, attention over the climate change implications of data centers will certainly continue.
Future Trends in Energy Management and LV Switchboards:
AI-Driven Optimization in LV Switchboards
The future of energy management in data centers is poised for transformative advancements, particularly with the integration of AI-driven optimization and advanced automation in LV switchboards. As data centers increasingly adopt smart technologies, they leverage artificial intelligence to analyze vast amounts of operational data, enabling real-time decision-making that optimizes energy consumption and enhances overall efficiency. AI algorithms can predict energy usage patterns, identify anomalies, and dynamically adjust power distribution, thereby minimizing waste and improving system performance.
Role of Emerging Technologies
Emerging technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning, will further enhance the capabilities of LV switchboards. IoT devices can provide granular data on energy usage, equipment health, and environmental conditions, allowing for more precise control and management of resources. Machine learning models will continuously learn from historical data, improving predictive maintenance and enabling proactive responses to potential issues before they impact operations. These innovations will contribute to the sustainability of data centers by reducing their carbon footprint and enabling more effective integration of renewable energy sources.
Continued Innovation in LV Switchboard Technology
Automation within LV switchboards is increasingly becoming sophisticated, enabling automated systems that can adjust power distribution without human intervention. Paired with IoT-enabled devices, these switchboards will offer real-time data insights and improve system response to changes in energy demand, further optimizing operations. The combination of these technologies will enable greater scalability and make it easier for data centers to adopt renewable energy.
References
- Jones, N. (2018). How to stop data centres from gobbling up the world’s electricity. Nature, 561(7722), 163–166. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-018-06610-y
- Nabih, A., & Li, Q. (2021). Low-Profile and High-Efficiency 3 kW 400 V-48 V LLC Converter with a Matrix of Four Transformers and Inductors for 48V Power Architecture for Data Centers. 2021 IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition (ECCE), 1813–1819. https://doi.org/10.1109/ECCE47101.2021.9595881
- Shao, X., Zhang, Z., Song, P., Feng, Y., & Wang, X. (2022). A review of energy efficiency evaluation metrics for data centers. Energy and Buildings, 271, 112308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112308
- Electrical Distribution Equipment in Data Center Environments by Schneider Electric’s Data Center Science Center DCSC@Schneider-Electric.com
- International Energy Agency (IEA). Digitalization and Energy. Paris: IEA; 2017.
- Uptime Institute. Uptime Institute Global Data Center Survey; 2018.
- Google. 100% Renewable. Google Sustainability. Available at https://sustainability.google/projects/announcement-100. Accessed on February 10, 2020
- IEA. CO2 emissions from fuel combustion 2019. IEA Webstore. Available at https://webstore.iea.org/co2- emissions-from-fuel-combustion-2019. Accessed on February 13, 2020
- IEA. Key World Energy Statistics 2019. IEA Webstore. Available at https://webstore.iea.org/key-world-energystatistics-2019. Accessed on February 13 202
- Greenpeace. Greenpeace #ClickClean. Available at http:// www.clickclean.org. Accessed on February 13, 2020.
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About the Author
Mahad Malik, PhD (EEP)
Energy Analyst and Technical Writer
M Mahad Malik is an energy analyst and technical analyst for smart grids. His areas of interest in research are microgrids, computational coding in energy systems, RES integration, power system planning, smart grids, and sustainability analysis.