Non-energy Benefits
High-energy-performance facilities also tend to accrue considerable non-energy benefits, such as superior safety, risk management, improved process control, and maximized up-time. These are rarely included in lifecycle cost analyses and associated decision making, but should be.
- Improved Process Control: In data centers, some analysts have observed that proximity of fans to computer drives increases the numbers of rewrites/retries (eroding productivity). Alternative cooling strategies now in the R&D phase may eliminate these fans altogether. Another benefit of doing so is to reduce the rising problem of fan noise in server farms.
- Thermal Management: Excessive heat—a direct outcome of energy inefficiency—has become a limiting factor in the number of servers (productivity) that data centers can house. Efficient power supplies can yield about $3000/year/rack in energy savings and allow about 20% more servers per rack. Configuration matters!
- Enhanced Reliability: In the context of data centers, eliminating un-necessary AC-DC conversions not only saves energy but eliminates devices that can fail. When using outside air when adequate for cooling (also known as "free cooling"), the mechanical compressor effectively becomes a backup system that can be used to augment or replace the primary system.
- Space Savings: Backup power systems are often essential, yet rarely optimized. In some cases, their implementation is limited due to hesitance to try new technologies (e.g., flywheels or fuel cells) or dictated by customer requirements (some web-hosting facilities have dedicated diesel generators for customers). While not a panacea, energy-storage flywheels are more efficient and compact than standard uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), thereby reducing floor space requirements, associated construction costs, and they can be 20% more efficient than battery back-up systems.
- Reduced Operations & Maintenance Costs: Full-throttle operation is often designed into a project, even though it is not needed. As one of many examples, applying variable-speed controls to traditionally constant-volume air- or fluid-movement applications can enhance performance and increase system flexibility while saving energy. The added benefits of reducing operational challenges, extending equipment life, increasing diagnostic capabilities, and minimizing downtime during modifications often eclipse the direct energy savings benefits. Commissioning is one important ways of saving energy while avoiding O&M headaches. Non-energy benefits included early identification of maintenance problems, safety issues, avoiding premature equipment failure, etc. In addition to verifying proper system operation and fulfilling user requirements, commissioning ensures that problems get fixed during warranty and additional first-cost savings can be achieved by reducing callbacks or avoiding litigation over construction defects. In "mission-critical" facilities, commissioning demonstrates the ability of the building to perform at the extremes of its design intent, and "flushes out" problems that could later result in costly downtime. When performed during design and construction, first-cost savings typically more than pay for the cost of commissioning; the energy savings are icing on the cake.
- Security: The non-energy benefits of controls are numerous; recently it has been found that buildings with more advanced ventilation control systems are more resistant to chemical and biological attacks. Also, the use of outside air can improve the overall air quality for the occupants in the building.
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