Storage Systems Can Now Get ENERGY STAR Labels and Why You Should Care (Fall 2014)

We all know about ENERGY STAR labels on refrigerators and other household appliances. In an effort to drive energy efficiency in data centers, the EPA announced its ENERGY STAR Data Center Storage program in December 2013 that allows storage systems to get ENERGY STAR labels. This program uses the taxonomies and test methods described in the SNIA Emerald Power Efficiency Measurement specification, which is part of the SNIA Green Storage Initiative. In this session, Dennis Martin will discuss the similarities and differences in power supplies used in computers you build yourself and in data center storage equipment, 80PLUS ratings, and why it is more efficient to run your storage systems at 230v or 240v rather than 115v or 120v. Dennis will share his experiences running the EPA ENERGY STAR Data Center Storage tests for storage systems and why vendors want to get approved.

Learning Objectives

Learn about power supply efficiencies
Learn about 80PLUS power supply ratings
Learn about running datacenter equipment at 230v vs. 115v
Learn about the SNIA Emerald Power Efficiency Measurement
Learn about the EPA ENERGY STAR Data Center Storage program