Survey also finds a lack of communication between management and facilities staff over equipment purchases

24th January 2012, London – Research released today shows UK data centres are embracing green technologies in a bid to become more energy efficient. 61% have adopted server virtualisation, 71% have replaced inefficient equipment and over two thirds (67%) deploy solutions to optimise cooling and airflow.
Data Centre World 2012
Data Centre World 2012

However, the research by the organisers of Data Centre World 2012 also uncovered a lack of communication between management and facilities teams. Nearly three quarters (72%) of management within UK data centres admitted to not consulting with their facilities teams on energy requirements before making equipment purchases. This lack of informed decision-making could cost the sector dearly, particularly as the CRC legislation came into effect in April last year.[1]

Although the survey found that almost two thirds (61%) of facilities have embraced server virtualisation, a key strategy for both energy and cost reduction - just 21% were able to report server utilisation rates of over 50%.[2] With utilisation levels in excess of 70% possible, it is clear that more could be done by UK facilities to make green technologies more efficient.[3]

The survey also found that:

    62% do not currently deploy low energy servers and

    Only 15% currently recycle heat from the data centre

John Hatcher, Data Centre World conference director said: “With energy costs rising and the introduction of the government’s CRC legislation, which aims to cut carbon emissions by 80% (of 1990 levels) by 2050, it is good to see that many data centres are moving towards greener technologies such as server virtualisation. However, the lack of communication within facilities teams is a concern and with budgets tight due to the stalling economy, it is surprising that server virtualisation rates are not higher.”

[1] Department of Energy and Climate Change, 2012
[2] Gartner 10 tips to reduce ICT infrastructure and operations costs, 2011
[3] IDC, Datacenter Trends Survey, 2007