• Energy Research
• 2021-2025close

Abstract In this work, we propose a two-step methodology for designing and sizing a data center solely powered by local renewable energy. The first step consists in determining the necessary IT equipment for processing a given IT workload composed of batch and service tasks. We propose an adapted binary search algorithm and prove its optimality to find the minimum number of servers to handle the IT workload. When the IT sizing is computed, the second step consists in defining the supplying electrical infrastructure using wind turbines and photovoltaic panels as primary sources. Batteries and a hydrogen system are added as secondary sources for short- and long-term energy storage, respectively. In this electrical sizing step, first a set of primary source configurations is determined using a binary search algorithm, then the secondary sources are calibrated so that levels of charge are constant during one day and one year, respectively. Experiments using real IT workload traces and actual meteorological data are conducted to illustrate the provided methodology to decision makers for choosing the best configuration for their data center.

Abstract As more and more activities are moving online, the need for datacenters is increasing which raises their energy consumption and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions. The supply of datacenters with renewable energy is often seen as the main solution to this nexus. However, multiple challenges are posed by their integration. Solutions to these challenges, mainly in the form of flexibility and energy efficiency, require multidisciplinary skills. As a consequence, this article aims to review scientific efforts in several complementary disciplines: electrical engineering, computer science, control system engineering and operations research. It covers datacenter architecture, infrastructure sizing and resource management on both information and energy sides. Conclusions on current progresses are drawn and challenges that remain to be addressed are listed as well.