Data Center Energy Efficiency
Research and Education
What is DCEER at University of Illinois?
The DCEER (Data Center Energy Efficiency Research) program brings together all the
various on-going research at the University of Illinois
that is relevant to data center energy efficiency. DCEER is a cross-disciplinary
program including researchers from computer science and electrical and mechanical
engineering. The research trusts of DCEER are:
- compute hardware and software power aware research
- cooling research
- power research
- controls and optimization research
DCEER researchers agree that data center energy improvements require a high performance
systems-level approach examining the entire data center system and simultaneously
optimizing all length scales including: (a) micro-scale compute power consumption
in CPU/core, memory, disks, and networks (b) meso-scale power distribution in power
conditioning and delivery components, and (c) macro-scale power and energy management
though associated rack and facility cooling systems. Model-based approaches will
be a key enabler to better design, allowing for optimization tradeoffs to be performed
among the different length scales. For better operation, accurate predictive methods
based on past operating points and equipment utilization can help data centers realize
significant energy savings.
DCEER is working with campus data center operators to educate about best practices
and highlight the possible savings to campus administrators of implementing the
best practices. The established relationship will provide DCEER researchers with
real-world research problems and expose data center operators to cutting edge research.
Why is Data Center Energy Efficiency a Concern?
There is an increasing interest on the part of government and industry to address
data center power consumption. In 2006, U.S. data centers used about 61 billion
kWh–roughly 1.5% of all retail U.S. electricity sales. Data center power use
is rapidly growing and is projected to reach 100 billion kWh by 2011. Processor
and system power densities are continually increasing placing a huge burden on the
country's electrical supply and distribution system. Gartner analysts predict that
half of the world's datacenters will run out of power by the end of 2008.
In response to this growing crisis, the recent EPA
report to Congress calls for creation of a national testing and demonstration
center to verify new technologies for reducing energy consumption in data centers.
To effectively address data center cooling and energy consumption, a holistic view
must be taken integrating compute, power, and cooling and considerations.
Why is Illinois well positioned to address this problem?
The University of Illinois conducts nationally-recognized research that touches
on many aspects of data center energy efficiency. The cross-disciplinary
team can bring a holistic, large scale systems approach, to bear in order
to comprehensively address data center research. At every level, Illinois has a
proven track record of experience, faculty expertise, industry and government relationships,
and facilities to provide global leadership.
The University of Illinois has ties with supercomputing centers, national labs,
research centers, and universities world-wide as well as connections to industry.
These relationships can be leveraged to expand data center research across academic
institutions and garner additional participation from industry.
