Containerized Power and Cooling Modules for Data Centers

Containerized Power and
C li M d l f DCooling Modules for Data
CentersCenters
Schneider ElectricSchneider Electric
Data Center Science Center
White Paper 163
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 163 Presentation – June 2014

Standardized, pre-assembled and integrated data center facility
power and cooling modules are at least 60% faster to deploy,
and provide a first cost savings of 13% or more compared to
traditional data center power and cooling infrastructure.
Prefabricated modules also referred to in the data centerPrefabricated modules, also referred to in the data center
industry as containerized power and cooling plants, allow data
center designers to shift their thinking from a customized
“construction” mentality to a standardized “site integration”construction mentality to a standardized site integration
mentality. This white paper compares the cost of both scenarios,
presents the advantages and disadvantages of each, and
identifies which environments can best leverage the facilityidentifies which environments can best leverage the facility
module approach.

Introduction
Challenge of deploying a data center
• Prefabricated modules are pre-engineered, pre-assembled / integrated, and
pre-tested data center physical infrastructure systems
• Delivered as standardized “plug in” modules to a data center site• Delivered as standardized plug-in modules to a data center site
• Benefits include
• cost savings
• time savings
i lifi d l i• simplified planning
• improved reliability
• improved agility
• higher efficiency
a higher le el of endor acco ntabilit• a higher level of vendor accountability
• Compared to traditional approach, saves
• 60% in deployment speed
• 13% in first cost

Upfront Cost of Standardized vs.
CustomizedCustomized
Standardized – faster and less costly to deploy than
traditional
First cost savings
First costCooling: $1.75/watt
Cooling: $2.00/watt
Power:$2.20/watt
Design /
Installation
Installation
First cost
savings: 13%Power:$1.90/watt
While prefabricated
module materials or
Design
module materials or
“system” cost is higher,
savings in design and
installation costs yield a
Hardware /
Software
Hardware /
Software
13% net savings
Facility modules Traditional facility

Hardware/Software costs
• Includes
• mechanical and electrical roommechanical and electrical room
physical infrastructure
hardware
• management and controls
system
• System costs about 40%
higher for facility modules
• cost of the additional materials
• cost of pre-assembling,
integrating the hardware,
software and controls together
software, and controls together

Design costs
• Two types of design costs
• equipment selection and layoutequipment selection and layout
• site plan design and engineering
• Prefabricated modules
• equipment selection and layout• equipment selection and layout
done in factory
• rolled into system cost
• site plan design and engineeringp g g g
cost reduced by 80%
• simpler process
• Involves fewer tradesmen

Installation costs – significantly less for prefabricated
• Includes all work performed in the
field to assemble, integrate and, g
commission system for operation
• Systems project management
• Site prep and site projectp p p j
management
• Power and cooling system
installation
• Management /controls installation
and programming
• Commissioning

Installation costs – who is responsible?
Traditional Approach Facility Modules
Begin
ConceptionConception
Solution
Provider
Management
R ibilit
Schematic design
Design development
Schematic design
Design development
ata Center
ife Cycle
Responsibility
Construction documents
Bidding / negotiation for parts
Construction documents
Bidding / negotiation for parts
Da
Li
Acquisition of components
Manufacturing / installation
O ti
Data Center
Owner
Management
Responsibility
Acquisition of components
Construction /
O ti
installation
End
Operations
Decommissioning
Operations
Decommissioning

Further Cost Savings of Prefabricated
ModulesModules
Maintenance costs
• End-user saves by contracting “one stop
shop” module maintenance
• Save on software/management upgradesg pg
with standard firmware upgrades

Further Cost Savings of Prefabricated
ModulesModules
Energy costs
P i d d i f f b d l• Pre-engineered design of prefab modules
allows for better integration of power and
cooling system controls
Integrating chiller plant controls from• Integrating chiller plant controls from
diverse components leads to less efficient
operation and increased energy consumption
PUE predictable in prefab modules• PUE predictable in prefab modules
• 20% lower energy costs than traditional

Additional Prefabricated Module Benefits
Predictable efficiency
• Allows consumer to specify and manufacturer to publish expected
efficienciesefficiencies
• based on real measurements of the design
• Predictability attractive for businesses focused on energy efficiency
initiativesinitiatives

Portability
• Example: A business needs to deploy data center power and cooling
but the lease expires in 18 monthsbut the lease expires in 18 months
• They can physically move data center infrastructure investment with
them

Financial
• Prefab modules classified as equipment rather than a building
C ld ff t i d fi i b fit• Could offer tax, insurance and financing benefits

Hedge against uncertainty
• Prefab modules a wise option for uncertain future growth
Fl ibilit f li d i ht i i i i i i k• Flexibility of scaling and right-sizing minimizes risk

Speed of deployment
• Traditional data
centers – up to 2
years from
Time to Deployment Estimates (in weeks)
Design &
Engineering
2412 60% time savings
concept to
commissioning for
deliver
Factory
Production
4
1614
32
• Data centers built
with prefab
modules delivered
i l h h lf
Construction
Testing
1614
31
End of traditional
timeline
in less than half
the time from
concept to
commissioning
Installation
Commission
256
41
End of modular
timeline
commissioningCommission
Weeks
0 88
41
34
Modular Traditional

Simplified training
• Prefab modules standardized with system-level interface
• Greatly simplifies staff training
• Reduces risk to data center due
to staff transitions

Prefabricated Module Drawbacks
Distance between prefab modules and internal data
center
• Greater distance
• Increased cost to run cable, piping
• May need to break through multiple walls, floors, or ceilings
• Cost could be prohibitive

Physical risks
• Exposed to outside elements
S th• Severe weather
• Malicious intent
• Vehicle traffic
A i l i t i f t ti• Animal, insect infestation

Arrangements for power provisioning and network
connectivityconnectivity
• Must establish
Additi l di t ib ti h b k it h• Additional power distribution such as breakers, switchgear
• Fiber connections

Restrictive form factor
• Blocks may be too heavy for building roof
P f b d l di i li it th l th i f• Prefab module dimensions may limit growth unless there is space for
more prefab modules

Human ergonomics
• Less user friendly than traditional
data centers
• Limited space inside
• Environment geared towards
equipment rather than humansq p

Serviceability
• Some prefab power and cooling module doors located outside
O i d i t t t ti ll h f l td• Opening doors exposes equipment to potentially harmful outdoor
elements

Local code compliance
• New technology
L l id li t t b• Local guidelines may not yet be
established
• Possible inconsistencies among
different localesdifferent locales
• Local codes impact the level of
module engineering and
customization required to securecustomization required to secure
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
approvals

Transportation
• Transportation Security Administration
(TSA) stipulates dimensions of transported(TSA) stipulates dimensions of transported
containers in US
• Roads outside of North America may be
even smallereven smaller
• Non-standard wide loads require special
permits, escorts
• Increases cost of transporting prefabIncreases cost of transporting prefab
modules

Comparison Factor Traditional data center build out Facility module
Time to deploy 12 to 24 months represents a typical timeframe
Can be designed, delivered, installed, and
operational within 8 months or less
Cost to deploy
High up front capital cost with extensive field
assembly, installation, and integration
Allows data center to be built out in large kW building
blocks of pre-manufactured power and cooling
capacity
Regulatory approvals on an ad-hoc basis for the
various steps of the infrastructure layout This
Data center owners who choose to install facility
Regulatory
roadblocks
various steps of the infrastructure layout. This
approach often results in delays that impact the
initiation of downstream construction. The end user is
responsible for securing approvals.
modules should check with local authorities prior to
installation. Permitting processes may vary greatly
across different geographies.
Security
Physical security is enhanced when assets are located
deep within the building, away from the outside
perimeter
Location of physical infrastructure assets outside of
the building increases exposure to outside physical
security and weather threats
From a physical infrastructure perspective, a retrofit Specialized equipment (such as a crane) is needed to
Installation
can be more complex and more invasive than a build
out of a new data center. Infrastructure components
need to be installed individually, started up individually
and then commissioned.
maneuver 20 and 40 foot pre-configured facility
modules. A “docking station” needs to be configured
for connection to building pipes and electrical.
Started up as one integrated unit.
Tax implications Recognized as permanent part of the building
Reported as temporary structure which can be more
attractive from a tax perspective (see Schneider-
Electric White Paper 115, Accounting and Tax
Benefits of Modular, Portable Data Center
Infrastructure)
Reliability
The solution is assembled on site from various parts
and pieces provided by multiple vendors. This
increases the need for coordination and therefore,
creates more chances for human error.
More predictable performance because components
are pre-wired and are factory acceptance tested
before shipping. Smaller modules reduce risks of
human error: If a failure occurs, the entire data
center doesn’t go down.
Existing structures often limit the electrical efficiencies
that can be achieved through optimized power and
Efficiency
that can be achieved through optimized power and
cooling distribution; complex custom configured
controls often result in suboptimal cooling operation,
reducing efficiency
Facility modules can utilize standard modular internal
components and can be specified to a target PUE.
Carbon footprint
Construction materials utilized are high in carbon
emissions. Brick, insulation and concrete are all
carbon emission intensive materials. Concrete is
often used for floors, walls and ceilings.
Steel and aluminum produce about half the carbon
emissions of concrete. Concrete is only used to pour
a support pad. Significantly less concrete is needed
for facility modules as opposed to a comparable
“b ildi h ll’ d t t
o e used o oo s, a s a d ce gs
“building shell’ data center.
Serviceability
Traditional data centers have more room for service
people to maneuver. All servicing is protected from
any harsh weather elements.
Servicing is more limited with facility modules
because of space constraints. In some cases
equipment can only be accessed by opening a door
from the outside and exposing equipment to outside
elements (heat, moisture, cold).

Types of Prefabricated Module
• Traditional 40x8 foot (12.2 x 2.4 meter) freight containers
C t i d dd f b l t• Customized add-on prefab plants
• Modular add-ons to existing buildings
• Classic ISO freight containers and skids
• Modular indirect evaporative cooling modules

Applications of Data Center
Prefabricated ModulePrefabricated Module
Typical applications
• Colocation facilities seeking faster, cheaper ways to “step and repeat”
computer power and support systems for their customerscomputer power and support systems for their customers
• Data centers that are out of power and cooling capacity or physical
space
N f iliti ith ti ht ti t i t• New facilities with tight time constraints
• Data center operators in leased facilities
• IT departments with staff willing to manage power and cooling
• Data center facilities whose existing infrastructure has poor PUE
• An organization with vacant space

Conclusion
● Prefab modules provide alternative to traditional data centers● Prefab modules provide alternative to traditional data centers
● Changes planning cycle from onsite construction focus to onsite
integration of pre-manufactured, pre-tested power and cooling blocks
● Ideal applications● Ideal applications
● A new data center seeking faster, cheaper ways to “step and
repeat” computer power and support systems
O i ti ith t● Organizations with vacant space
● Existing data center with space, power, cooling capacity
constraints

Resources
Accounting and Tax Benefits of Modular, Portable Data Center Infrastructure
White Paper 115
Economizer Modes of Data Center Cooling Systems
White Paper 132
Data Center Projects: Growth Model
White Paper 143
TCO Analysis of a Traditional Data Center vs. a Scalable, Containerized Data Center
White Paper 164
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