2Sustain

Green data centers are in the news, again. Last month, the New York Times ran an article on the growing importance of energy-efficient data centers.

Now, there’s word that TelecityGroup, Europe’s leading data center provider, will be using EnoTemp, an innovative climate management device, in all of its Amsterdam data centers.

EnoTemp uses sound to detect air temperatures, air speed, and humidity. It then processes this data into a 3D profile, an image the company likens to a 3D weather map of high and low pressure systems that you might see on the local news. By analyzing these measurements, TelecityGroup engineers will be able to optimize energy-efficiencies at their clients’ data centers. Plus, they’ll be able to get a better handle on the sudden temperature rises that can cause overheating and equipment shut-down.

EnoTemp is the brainchild of Van Schaik Innovation Handling, an R&D firm that specializes in acoustic measuring equipment. According to a press release, EnoTemp can detect air speeds from 0.001 m/s and process measurements with extreme speed and precision. The device was introduced in the horticulture industry about 18 months ago and has successfully cut costs and energy use in greenhouses.

“Our climate conservation measuring equipment can be used in many different ways. For example in greenhouses, but also in laboratories, breweries and data centers,” said Wilhelm van Schaik, CEO of Van Schaik Innovation Handling.

These days, we’re all on the look-out for ways to cut costs and reduce emissions associated with our energy-guzzling data centers. Could a company that develops acoustic measuring equipment offer part of the solution? I guess the answer to that question remains to be seen – but personally I think it is both cool and promising. Looking at this example of how a green mindset can drive technological innovation, it sure looks like an example of being on the right track if nothing else.