Rudolph/Libbe Companies and its
subsidiaries, BHP Energy and GEM Inc., are building one of the
world's most energy-efficient computer data centers for Syracuse
University. The data center is expected to use 50 percent less energy
than a typical data center today, making it one of the "greenest"
computer centers in operation. BHP was selected by Syracuse
University and IBM to integrate a tri-generation concept into the
data center. This system includes 12 patented Capstone C65 Hybrid UPS
systems that run on natural gas and produce 65 kilowatts each. The
center will make its own heat and air conditioning. Waste heat from
the microturbines will be linked to absorption chillers, which will
use the heat energy to make cold water to cool the computers. During
winter, waste heat from the Capstone microturbines can be used to
make hot water for an adjacent building. Computers will be cooled
with water rather than air. The on-site electrical tri-generation
system will allow the data center to operate completely
off-grid.
BHP is an authorized
distributor of Capstone Turbine power generation systems. Capstone
turbines are compact, affordable energy systems that reduce energy
costs while helping to protect the environment with near-zero
emissions. "Syracuse University, the state of New York and IBM
are true innovators. We are extremely proud to be working with them
on a project that will influence the way data centers are designed
and operated all over the world," says Hussien Shousher,
president of GEM Inc.
IBM will provide
more than $5 million in equipment, design services and support. The
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is
contributing $2 million to the project.
The
liquid cooling system will use double-effect absorption chillers to
convert exhaust heat from the microturbines into chilled water to
cool the data center's servers, with sufficient excess cooling to
handle the needs of an adjacent building. Server racks will
incorporate IBM's Rear Door Heat eXchanger "cooling doors"
that use chilled water to remove heat more efficiently than
conventional room-chilling methods. Sensors will monitor server
temperatures and usage to tailor the amount of cooling delivered by
each Rear Door Heat eXchanger-further improving efficiency. The
project also will include a direct current (DC) power distribution
system. The data center is expected to be completed by the end of
2009.
