PUE, a key performance indicator

The PUE is defined in EN 50600-4-2: Data processing centre facilities and infrastructure, part 4-2: Power Usage Effectiveness.

The PUE represents the ratio between the total energy consumed by the data centre and the energy needed for IT equipment.

To accurately assess the actual performance of a data centre, the consumption monitoring device for the IT servers must be positioned as close as possible to the installed equipment.

The PUE identifies areas for improvement specific to processes, design, and operational efficiency.

A target value will be set for the design of new data centres and used as a target for energy management.

In 2020, the average PUE for all data centres is 1.6. The design of the latest generation of data centres can achieve values of less than 1.4.

Analysis
IDENTIFY THE ENERGY
DEDICATED TO SERVERS
Performance
TRACK CONSUMPTION
AT THE DATA CENTRE

How to calcul the PUE ?

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75%
OPERATING COSTS
ENERGY-RELATED
40%
AMOUNT OF ENERGY
USED FOR COOLING

Recommendations for determining the PUE

The PUE can be calculated at different levels of the installation (PUE1, PUE2 or PUE3).

PUE3 is recommended. It provides better visibility over energy consumption and data centre losses to determine the drivers for improving energy efficiency.

Changes in the PUE must be correlated with other data that influences energy consumption (energy quality, environmental data, etc.)

The precision of consumption-measuring devices must be taken into account in assessing the accuracy of the PUE calculation.

Data should be readily available and easily transferred to an Edge or Cloud tracking platform.

 

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PUE categories according to EN 50600-4-2

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Category 1 (PUE1)

Basic level of resolution of energy performance data

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Category 2 (PUE2)

Intermediate level of resolution of energy performance data

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Category 3 (PUE3)

Advanced level of resolution of energy performance data

Socomec solution

DIRIS Digiware measurement and monitoring system

The DIRIS Digiware measurement system meets the requirements of the EN 50600-4-2 PUE3 category, respecting and ensuring consumption measurements from the main power supply to the servers.

Its precision class means the DIRIS Digiware delivers an accurate measurement of the PUE. The implementation of DIRIS Digiware system in a tap-off or PDU setup for the entire electrical installation gives a detailed mapping of the data centre's consumption distribution and losses.