Green Grid Unveils 2 Data Center Efficiency Tools

SAN JOSE, Calif.-The Green Grid, which has quickly become one of the more influential green IT organizations in the world in only three years of existence, on Feb. 4 introduced two freely available online tools to help data center managers keep track of power and cooling efficiency.

The Green Grid's new Power Efficiency Estimator enables data center operators to compare different possible situations involving power topologies and technologies inside their facilities. For example, data center managers can input factors such as workload, availability and space constraints into the PEE and obtain a report designed to improve planning and subsequent decision making.

The new PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) Calculator allows managers to input their facilities' specific data at regular intervals to determine their PUE. PUE is a metric created in 2009 by the Green Grid that determines the amount of energy used by a facility and all the IT gear inside of it.

Both tools will be available for public download at the Green Grid Website by the end of March, Green Grid Chairman John Tuccillo said. The Green Grid is holding its third annual Technical Forum here in San Jose Feb. 3 and 4.

The Green Grid also made available a freely downloadable whitepaper, "The Impact of Virtualization on Data Center Physical Infrastructure." The report offers guidance on how data center professionals can maximize power and cooling electricity savings in a data center that uses virtualization for consolidation purposes.

The paper is available to Green Grid members and nonmembers in the "Library & Tools" section of the Green Grid's Website.

Finally, the Green Grid has launched a self-directed online course, "Data Center 101: Constrained Capacity," to help data center managers become familiar with industry lexicon and solutions to everyday challenges.

The Green Grid is a global consortium of companies, government agencies and educational institutions dedicated to advancing energy efficiency in data centers and business computing ecosystems. It consists of about 200 member companies and features board members from Microsoft, Intel, EMC, Hewlett-Packard, APC Schneider, Dell and other top-tier IT corporations.