UPS

Efficiency losses in UPS's represent about 5% to 12% of all the energy consumed in data centers. Manufacturer specifications can differ widely from measured results because of differences in loading conditions and test procedures. There may also be differences between efficiencies measured under reference conditions and under "in-use" conditions in data centers.

EPRI-PEAC and Ecos Consulting are working together to estimate how much energy could be saved by improving UPS efficiency, develop standardized efficiency testing protocols, measure the efficiencies of UPS's across a range of load conditions, and propose efficiency metrics for use by the marketplace in comparing units for purchase.

We developed a total cost of ownership tool that can be used to estimate the value of energy savings at the rack level from improvements to UPS, power supply, and internal component efficiencies in servers. This type of analysis ensures that buyers and sellers of power supplies and UPS's are able to give greater consideration to energy efficiency in the purchase process.

The project's latest research results are reported here.

Other documents can be found here.