Air Conditioning Control for Data Center Energy-Reliability Tradeoffs
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Solution Overview
Problem
In data centers, increasing the room temperature to reduce air conditioning power consumption leads to a decrease in the lifetime of IT devices, thereby increasing repair and replacement costs, posing a challenge in balancing energy savings with device reliability.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning control device that calculates and compares settings for minimum power consumption and minimum device failure rate, determining a specific setting that balances electric power costs with device failure costs using sensor data and predictive models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If room temperature is increased to reduce air conditioning power consumption, then electric power consumption is reduced, but device lifetime decreases and failure rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the room temperature parameter based on calculated optimal values. The system calculates a first setting for minimum power consumption and a second setting for minimum failure rate, then determines a specific setting that balances both objectives. This transforms the static temperature parameter into a dynamically optimized parameter that resolves the contradiction between energy savings and device reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by transitioning from fixed air conditioning settings to dynamic, adaptive control. The system continuously monitors power consumption and failure rate data, recalculates optimal settings based on current conditions, and adjusts temperature parameters in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the system to respond to changing conditions and balance the trade-off between energy efficiency and device reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If air conditioning capacity is reduced to save energy, then electric power consumption decreases, but device reliability and lifetime are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using measured power consumption data and failure rate data to continuously refine air conditioning control decisions. The system collects data on actual power usage and device performance, feeds this information back into the calculation model, and adjusts future control settings accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that energy savings do not come at the expense of device lifetime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by calculating and preparing optimal air conditioning settings in advance based on historical data and predictive models. Before making control decisions, the system pre-calculates the balance point between power consumption and device lifetime, allowing it to proactively adjust settings to prevent both excessive energy use and potential device failures.
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning control device includes, a memory and, a processor configured to, calculate a first setting for air conditioning control at which electric power consumed by the air conditioning control is lowest, calculate a second setting for air conditioning control at which a failure rate of a device which is installed in a target place for the air conditioning control is lowest, compare a first value calculated based on first electric power and a first failure rate when air conditioning control is performed on the basis of the first setting with a second value calculated based on second electric power and a second failure rate when air conditioning control is performed on the basis of the second setting, and determine a specific setting for air conditioning control in accordance with a result of comparison of the first value and the second value.