Green Grid Completes Three Technology Deliverables
The Green Grid , a non-profit consortium dedicated to advancing energy efficiency in data centers and business computing ecosystems announced the completion of three key deliverables from its Technical Committee. The three key deliverables made available to members on October 23rd included:
    •    Qualitative Analysis of Power Distribution Configurations for Data Centers
    •    Existing Data Center Energy Efficiency Metrics
    •    An updated version of the Data Center Efficiency Metrics White Paper
In the Qualitative Analysis of Power Distribution Configurations for Data Centers, The Green Grid identifies seven high-level configurations for power distribution in the data center. This paper is one of the first to consolidate the advantages and disadvantages of each of these power distribution configurations.
The Existing Data Center Energy Efficiency Metrics white paper is the industry’s first consolidated look at all existing organizations and metrics that are focused on energy efficiency in data centers and related IT equipment. The updated version of the Data Center Efficiency Metrics White Paper refines the metrics first introduced by The Green Grid in February 2007 by more explicitly highlighting infrastructure efficiency. The Green Grid expects the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and Datacenter Efficiency (DCE) metrics to be adopted by the industry and that, moving forward, all data centers will track and report their efficiencies using these metrics. It is important to note that, while these metrics currently define infrastructure efficiency, The Green Grid is also working on developing metrics for data center productivity which will include computational efficiency. The Green Grid also reiterated its intention to develop an industry-standard rating system for data centers, a goal adopted by the organization earlier this year.

The First Uptime Institute Charrette Sells Out
The first Uptime Institute (Institute) Charrette: Data Center Energy Efficiency by Design held in Santa Fe, NM, drew almost 300 people from many segments of the economy, including finance, commerce, government, healthcare, design engineering enterprises as well as both leading IT and data center hardware and systems manufacturers to work on solutions to problems pressing data center builders, owners, and operators. The delegates divided into three tracks to tackle problems from mechanical, electrical, and mechanical perspectives before combining for a unified presentation of their conclusions.
EPA Energy Star Presence
While much of the event addressed the critical issues facing industry from a tactical perspective, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) events on Tuesday, October 30, and Wednesday, October 31, Delegates looked at the data center energy-efficiency crisis on broader scale. These special events enabled Charrette Delegates to learn about and provide important feedback to the EPA on its proposed server energy efficiency specifications and the various proposed metrics for measuring and improving data center energy efficiency.

Eaton Acquires Schneider Electric’s Small Systems Business of MGE
Eaton Corporation expanded its global Power Quality business by acquiring Schneider Electric’s small systems business of MGE, becoming the world’s second largest supplier of power protection solutions. Eaton completed its acquisition of the small systems business of MGE, known as MGE Office Protection Systems, on Nov. 1 for €425 million ($612 million at current exchange rates).
“This transaction is exciting news for Eaton and MGE Office Protection Systems customers,” said Tom Gross, vice president and president, Power Quality and Control Operations of Eaton’s Electrical Group. “This acquisition enhances our position in the power quality business by increasing scale and geographic scope in key areas including Europe. We will build on MGE Office Protection Systems’ impressive track record of relationships in distribution channels and increase our global manufacturing capabilities in Asia.”
 
 

New Technologies

A 1000-kW Rental Power unit from Cummins Power Generation i s Certified to meet EPA Tier 2 emissions standards. The new 1000-kW Rental Power unit provides temporary power for construction and emergency power for commercial buildings, industrial plants, and public works facilities. Its enhanced performance features include low emissions, increased running time, selectable voltages and easy operator access for maintainability. 
The trailerized unit comes complete with an easy-to-operate customer interface to minimize setup. One model is available that allows quick voltage changes from 208 to 480 Vac to maximize flexibility. A separate 600 Vac model is also available. Running time at 75 percent load has been increased to 30 hours with a larger integrated fuel tank. The Rental Power unit’s enclosure also features 110 percent fluid containment to prevent job site contamination from fuel leaks or spills. The unit is designed to operate in ambient temperatures of up to 113 degrees F (45 degrees C) and is exceptionally quiet, producing only 75 dB(A) measured at 23 ft (7 m).

New High Efficiency Value Line Vertical Hollow Shaft (VHS) WPI (Weather Protected I) high-thrust motors from GE Motors, part of GE Consumer & Industrial , are a perfect fit for deep-well, high-thrust loads and turbine-pumping applications. Although there are no regulated efficiencies on high thrust vertical motors, the GE High Efficiency Value Line stock vertical motor is designed with the latest government efficiencies for horizontal motors under the Federal Energy Policy Act in mind.

MGE Office Protection Systems announced the introduction of its new Evolution UPS. Responding to user's quest for flexible protection with a low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), the Evolution units are the perfect solution for protecting rack-optimized servers, storage systems and Internetworking equipment against damaging and costly power disruptions.
The Evolution is the first line-interactive UPS in its class with an adaptable, multi-position PDU (Power Distribution Unit) that provides an innovative, space saving method of easily adding receptacles to the back, side or top of the UPS – freeing up much needed space in dense rack environments. In addition, optional universal HotSwap Maintenance By-Pass modules allow the UPS to be replaced without interrupting the power supply – assuring power continuity.

Emerson Unveils Details for Its AdaptiveXchange 2007

AdaptiveXchange 2007, to be held November 29-30 at the Baltimore Convention Center, will provide an interactive forum for IT, data center, and facilities managers to collaboratively identify best practices in managing the vital data centers that power today’s online economy.
To register visit AdaptiveXchange 2007
This year’s event, themed “Way to be Ready,” features 28 technical sessions, 85,000 square feet of exhibit space, and an industry panel on practical approaches to reducing data center energy consumption.
In his keynote address at AdaptiveXchange 2007, Bob Bauer, group vice president, Emerson, will discuss “The Dynamic Data Center – Mastering Constant, Unpredictable Change.” His review of the major issues affecting data centers of all sizes will reveal strategies and technologies that create dynamic data centers capable of quickly responding to change. A panel of industry experts will explore the impact of rising energy costs on data center operations.  Additionally, TechUniversity sessions will analyze specific technologies and practices, such as managing critical data center needs within the rack and flexible architectures for UPS systems.
The technical presentations are supported by the AdaptiveXpo, a showcase of leading technologies in simulated data center, computer room, telecommunications and remote network environments. 
For more information about AdaptiveXchange 2007, visit Liebert.