A new approach to industrialized ITHP Flexible Data Center

Business white paper

Table of contents

4 Introduction

4 Levels of modularity

5 What is HP Flexible DC?

5 HP Flexible DC features

6 The core-and-quadrant building

6 The quadrants

7 The core

7 Multiple deployment models

7 Buildingfromaminimumconfiguration

7 Mixing capacity in the data center

7 Configuringacampus

8 Energy-saving cooling design

8 Maximum use of external cooling

8 Choice of cooling techniques

8 Cooling design features

9 Result: A smaller environmental footprint

Table of contents

9 Efficientpowerdesign

9 Electricalconfigurations

10 UPSconfigurations

10 Electrical design features

10 Saving time and CAPEX at construction

11 Saving OPEX during operation

11 Construction details

11 Analysisofenergyconsumptionandefficiency

11 Analysis of energy costs

12 Benefitsinthesupplychain,too

12 Summary

4Introduction

Data center design is changing. Designers are eager to reduce capital expenditures (CAPEX), operating expenses, and the time spent in planning and construction. Yet they also want to retain flexibility for expansion.

For reasons like these, innovative designers are focusing on a modular approach for data center facilities. The advantages of using standardized designs and techniques, industrialized precast assemblies for construction, and prefabricated power and cooling components are becoming clear. Besides the benefits of lower expenses and reduced time to commissioning, modular design makes it easier to offer mixed levels of capacity within the same facility, and allows expansion in phases as requirements change over time. Modular design is also a perfect complement to the modern trend toward infrastructure convergence and cloud computing.

This white paper explores data center modularity as demonstrated in HP Flexible Data Center (also known as Flexible DC or FDC). Youll learn in detail about how HP Flexible DC challenges conventional thinking about data center design. And youll come to understand how FDC delivers on the promise of flexibility, and provides faster, less costly construction, lower capital expenditures, and improved operating expenses.

Levels of modularityFigure 1 shows the basic levels of data center modularity. At one extremeyoullfindthetypicalmonolithicbrick-and-mortar data center. This type of data center is usually custom-built onsite. It can be costly and not very scalable. It often requires a long deployment time. Its design has one goal in mind: build it now for all future eventualities.

Even though its possible to construct such a center using a phased approachthatallowsforsomeexpansion,youstillneedtoplanseveralyearsinadvance.Atthesametime,thecustom-designeddatacenteroffersmanyadvantages,includingaverytraditionalenvironment.Itsspecificallytailoredtoyourneedsandevenoffersa good measure of creature comforts for operators.

Figure 1 Levels of modularity

Data center capacity, cost, time to deploy

Traditional monolithic data center

Modular solution (HP Flexible DC)

Container solution (HP POD)

Data center flexibility, efficiency, modularity

High

High

Low

Low

5At the other end of the scale is the containerized data center such as HP Performance Optimized Datacenter (POD). This solution takesaminimalistapproach,withracksofserverspreinstalled in an industrial-type container. An excellent choice when speed of deploymentisimportant,thecontainerizeddatacenterworksbestfor small-scale data center environments or emergency situations. The container solution enables very rapid deployment of IT assets when the capabilities of a more permanent facility arent required.

Thentheresthethird,industrializedoption:acomprehensive,turnkey solution,withamodulararchitecture,andbuiltusingtilt-up,precast, or prefabricated construction techniques. A wish list of ideal characteristics for this data center would include a menu-driven selectionofmechanicalandelectricalcomponents,andperhapscoolingthatwouldtakeadvantageoflocalclimate.SuchadatacenterwouldofferscalabilitytomeetchangingdemandsforcriticalIT power. It would be ready for use in much less time and at a lower costthanwouldbepossibleusingtraditional,onsitebrick-and-mortar construction methodsbut without compromising quality. Inotherwords,thissolutionwouldofferthebestofbothworlds:thelargecapacityandcreaturecomfortsofthetraditionaldatacenter,alongwithsomeoftheflexibilityandefficiencyfoundinacontainer.

ThatwishlistisfulfilledintheHPFlexibleDC.Thisdatacentersolutiontakesadvantageoftheflexibilityaffordedbyamodulararchitecture,alongwithmodernindustrialconstructiontechniques.Theresultisafacilitythatsbuiltinlesstimeandatlowercost,andiscomfortableforitsoperators.Whatsmore,itlowersoperatingexpenses and is easier to align with the business goals of your organization. And its available from HP.

What is HP Flexible DC?HPFlexibleDCisanadaptable,cost-effectivesolutionthatsidealfor the requirements of todays speed- and cost-driven business environment. With a range of capacities for critical IT power that startat500kilowatts(kW)andarescalableto6megawatts(MW),thisfacilitycanhandleawiderangeofloads.Plus,youcanassembleindividualdatacenterbuildingsinacampusconfigurationthatslimited only by property boundaries.

HPFlexibleDCincludesdatahallspace,alongwithachoiceofmodular cooling and electrical power distribution systems mounted in external containers. A central core provides administration and support functions.Yougetcustomizablecapacity,enhancedenergyefficiency, and reduced total cost of ownership. And this solution moves you fromtheconceptualstagetocommissioninginlessthanayear, at a capital cost thats lower than a similarly sized traditional data center build.

Becauseitsmodular,yougainflexibilitywithouttheinitialcostoftryingtodesignandprovisionforanuncertainfuture.Youbenefitfrom significantreductionsinoperationalcosts,aswell.Moreover,HPis yoursinglepointofcontacttofacilitatetheprocessofconceptualizing, building,andcommissioningyournewdatacenter.

HP Flexible DC featuresThis modular solution is designed to simplify planning and speed construction. It depends on modern techniques of industrialization andsupplychainmanagement,alongwithasetofstandardizedcomponentsandoptionsforpowerandcooling.Asaresult,the data center physical plant is lower in cost and faster to build. Features include:

Modular design Including a choice of options that allow meeting todays requirements,thenbuildingoutinphasesasyourinformationtechnology needs grow

Future scalability With the capability of adding capacity as necessary

Efficient tilt-up, precast, or prefabricated construction Based on standardized materials and processes that minimize biddingandreducetimeandfieldlaborrequirements;youcan evenincludetraditionalbrick-and-mortarconstruction,ifdesired

Menu-driven selection Using a standardized set of construction materials and prefabricatedcomponentsforeasier,morestraightforwardplanning and reduced onsite installation time

Variable density AllowingfutureflexibilityandgrowthwithinITspacethatsconfiguredtoloadvariabledensityrequirements

Integrated security Includingphysicalsecurity,alongwithfireprotectionforthe entire data center

Economical cooling Designedforminimumpossibleenergyconsumption,especiallyduring part-load operating conditions

Efficient power supply chain Withvarietyofuninterruptablepowersupply(UPS)systems, andwheneverpossiblewithaminimumofsuperfluous equipment,conversions,andtransformations

Excellent operational efficiency Demonstrated by PUEs of 1.2 or lower that signal OPEX cost savings

Concurrent maintainability and fault tolerance Eliminating single points of failure (SPOFs) and providing capability for maintenance procedures

Broad turnkey options Uponrequest,wecanevenintegrateafullITinfrastructure(hardware,storage,networkingandsoftware)intothedata center solution

6The core-and-quadrant buildingBasicHPFlexibleDCarchitectureisshowninfigure2.Thedatacenter consists of a central core administrative area surrounded byquadrants,orquads,thatarethedatahallsforhousingITequipment.Thismodularstructureallowsone,two,three,orasmany as four quads around the core. You can construct all quads atonce,oraddtheminphasesasneeded.Soyouhaveanavenue to deal with unpredictable changes in technology today while deferring remaining data center build-out until the appropriate time in the future.

The quadrantsFigure 3 shows details of one quadrant. Each quad contains a datahalltohouseracksofITequipment,andincludesexternalassembliesforpowerandcooling.Aquadrantcanbeconfiguredforacriticalloadcapacityof500,750,900or1,500kW.Thesmallestminimumconfigurationforadatacenterdeploymentisone500kWquadrant;however,withallfourquadsconstructedandfittedout,thefacilitycandeliveranywherefrom2to6MWofcriticalITpower.

Figure 3 Details of a quadrant

Figure 2 The FDC building consists of a central core surrounded by up to four quadrants

Quadrant 1

Core

Quadrant 2

Quadrant 3

Quadrant 4

Net critical load capacity: 500, 750, 900, or 1,500 kW

Multiple redundancy levels based on customer requirements

Design equivalent to Uptime Institute Tier III+

Data hall approx. 5,000 sq. ft.

Average 200 racks per quad

Customized tier and floor options at quad level

71 The only requirement is to specify the maximum capacity (for example, a maximum of 750 kW or 1,500 kW) before construction. This will allow future expansion to that capacity.

Mechanical and electrical components are mounted in external containers that allow easy access for maintenance. Outdoor mounting preserves indoor space for IT equipment and allows forquickandeasydeploymentoffutureelectricalandmechanicalcontainerized infrastructure. External mounting also removes potentialsourcesofequipmentfailure(suchassmoke)fromshutting down a quadrant. Containers have plenty of space for testingandequipment,too.

The core

Thecoreisconfiguredtohouseavarietyofsupportfunctions,suchasoperations,facilitysecurity,firesuppression,shippingandreceiving,staging,telecommunications,andnetworkconnectivity.Itcanalsoincorporatethewatermain,aswellasrestroomsforthefacility.Becausewedesignthecoretocustomerspecifications,it cancontainadministrationofficerooms,storagerooms,meetingrooms,orwhateverelseyourequireinthiscentralspace.

Multiple deployment modelsHPFlexibleDCisflexibleinconstructionandindeployment.Youcanchangethecapacityonanindividualquadrantbasis,orbuildquadsinphasesandaddquadsasneededtokeeppacewithbusinessneeds.

Building from a minimum configurationAsshowninfigure4,youcanstartwithacoreandasinglequadrant,beginningwitha500kWquad.Toexpandthatquadto750kWor1,500kW,youaddmoreprefabricatedpowerandcoolingmodules.This design allows for future changes in an individual quad without modificationtothebuilding.1

Youcanevendeployastandalonequadwithoutacore,ifnecessary.This option is ideal if core functions are already part of an existing data center and you need just one quad for expansion.

Mixing capacity in the data center

Ifdesired,youcanconfigureeachquadranttoadifferentlevelof power density and redundancy. One of the best features of thishighlyflexiblesolutionistheabilitytosupportdatacenterconsolidation by arranging IT assets logically. You might want toseparateassetsaccordingtogroup,securitylevel,orevenfunctiontypeforexample,softwaredevelopment,production, or disaster recovery.

Implementing mixed levels of capacity within the data center is comparativelyeasyandstraightforward,simplybyconfiguringeachquaddifferently.Thisapproachcanreducecostsviastrategicalignment of infrastructure and capacity requirements.

Configuring a campusForlargeinstallations,yourorganizationcancombinecore- and-quadrant buildings to create a campus consisting of multiple HPFlexibleDCstructuresofanyconfiguration.Figure5illustratessuchacampus,thisoneconsistingof10buildings.Thesecanbeinterconnectedwithdualfeedsforpowerandcommunications,providing virtually unlimited total critical power capacity for the entire campus.

Figure 4 Expandbyaddingcapacitytoindividualquads,orbyaddingquadstothedatacenter

Minimum capacity quadrant + core500kW

Maximum capacity quadrant + core1,500kW

FDC with up to 4 quadrants26MW

Figure 5 Start with a single quad and extend to a multi-building campus

Multi-FDC campus

60 MW+

8Energy-saving cooling designWedesignedHPFlexibleDCwithenergyefficiencyinmind.Powerand cooling equipment have been selected for the minimum possible energyconsumption,withamajorfocusonpart-loadoperatingconditions.Figure6showsthemechanicalandelectricalsystems.

Mechanical cooling components include prefabricated self-contained air handlers with air-to-air heat exchangers. Overhead convection cooling,usingafloodedcoldroomandhotaisles,reducespowerandwater consumption. Options include DX refrigerant cooling to assist during periods of the year that the local environment cant provide all necessary cooling for the data center IT space.

Maximum use of external cooling

Thissolutiontakesadvantageoftheexpandeddatacenterenvironmental standards published by the American Society of Heating,RefrigeratingandAir-conditioningEngineers(ASHRAE)2. Itusesthetypesofcoolingtypicallyseeninindustrialenvironments,adapting them to the data center.

Thedatacenterisdesignedtoworkwiththeexternalenvironment,usinganaireconomizerastheprimarycoolingsource.Thatis,thebuilding obtains the majority of its cooling by relying on the local climate to absorb and dissipate the heat it generates. This cooling isespeciallyeffectiveinlocationsthathavelargedifferencesinthedry-bulbandthewet-bulbtemperatures(e.g.,largewet-bulbdepression),aconditionnormallyfoundinaridordryclimates. An HP Flexible DC located in such an environment can operate successfullywithoutusingmuch,ifany,mechanicalrefrigeration,savingnotonlyenergy,butalsowater.(Althoughtheyuseoutside airasmuchaspossible,allHPFlexibleDCcoolingsystemsaredesigned tobeeffectiveandprovidehighefficienciesinallenvironments.)

Choice of cooling technologies

Table 1 shows menu choices for cooling technology. Each of these technologies utilizes the local environment to its maximum potential andprovideshigh-efficiencycooling.Allareabletomaintainthedata centerenvironmentwithinrecommendedlimits.Furthermore,thesetechnologies limit the entry of environmental contaminants into the datacenter,whichcanoccurwithtypicaloutdooraireconomizers.

The DX system can be sized for full or part load depending upon the required system redundancy level. Air handlers are located on the exteriorwallsinprefabricatedweatherproofhousings,providingcost-effectiveandtimelyinstallation.

The cooling capacity of the system decreases as the temperature rises. But due to the sensible heat reduction of the evaporative water,theevaporativecoolingsystemefficiencyincreasesastheexteriortemperatureincreases.Moreover,locationsthatnormallyexperience high humidity can still fully utilize any of these cooling systems;thatsbecauseheatistransferredacrossanair-to-airheatexchanger,whichprovidesisolationbetweenthedatacenterspaceand the local environment.

Cooling design features

Wevedesignedmechanicalsystemsforoptimumbenefitfromavarietyofcoolingtechnologies,withfeaturessuchas:

Serverrackrowsupto25feetinlength

Serverracksarrangedinahotaislecontainment (HAC)configuration

Noraisedfloorairdistribution

Air handlers distributed across a common plenum along the exterior wall of the building for even air distribution

Supplyairdiffusersdirectingairdowneachaisle,minimizinghotspots.Thesediffuserslineupwiththeaislestopromotebetter air circulation.

Figure 6 Mechanical and electrical systems

Flooded cold room with contained hot aisles for IT equipment racks

Standby LV generators

Power conditioning modules (PCMs), step-down transformers

Cooling units (CUs)

2 For details, see: tc99.ashraetcs.org/documents.html

9 Flooded cold room with hot aisles ducted to a plenum

Serverracksthoroughlysealedtoreducetherecirculationofwasteheatbackintotheinletsofnearbyservers

Air handler controls set to maintain maximum temperature differencebetweenthesupplyandreturnairdistributionstreams,helpingtomaximizetheefficiencyofthecoolingsystem

Result: a smaller environmental footprint

Atypicaldatacenterusesabout0.5gallons(1.90liters)ofwater perkWhoftotalelectricity.Thatmeansaone-megawattdata center with a PUE of 1.50 running at full load for one year will require13millionkWhofelectricity,andwillconsume6.5millionU.S. gallons of water during that period.

The air-based cooling options available with HP Flexible DC dramatically reduce the consumption of water and meet the challenges of corporate and government sustainability programs. Thisabilitytotrimenergyandwaterusagelowerscostsforelectricity, water,evensewer.Italsomeansreducedgreenhousegas(GHG)emissions,andasmallercarbonfootprintforthedatacenter.

Efficient power designTheelectricalconfigurationsuitsavarietyofdatacenterpowerneeds. Each FDC quadrant supports several choices of capacity for criticalpower,and,asnotedearlier,individualquadswithinthesamebuildingcanhavedifferentcapacities.

TheelectricaldistributionsystemisablockredundantschemebasedonaflywheelUPSsystemthatslocatedinprefabricatedself-contained external housings. Standby generators are mounted on theexteriorofthefacility,alsoinprefabricatedexternalcontainers,withbellytankfuelstoragebelow.

Electrical configurationsYou have a choice of UPS technologies for distributing power from the utility to your critical loads in the data center. You can tailor the datacenterforvariouslevelsofredundancy,basedonthecriticalityofapplications,yourrisktolerance,thetypesofloads,andyourbudget. Table 2 shows the available choices.

Table 1 FDC cooling options

Type of cooling Details Best application

Overhead convection cooling Cooling coils with associated chilled or condenser water cooled mechanical system

Noairsidesupplyfansystemrequired;providesisolation from outdoor environment

Direct expansion (DX) + direct evaporative cooling

Supplyfan,filters,directevaporativemedia,anddirectexpansion cooling assembly

Mostefficientincoldtomoderatetemperatureenvironments with low to moderate humidity levels

DX + indirect evaporative cooling

Supplyfan,filters,indirectevaporativemedia,anddirect expansion cooling assembly

Provides separation between environments with highlevelsofairpollutiondueto100%recirculation,allowing the unit to run a closed air circuit

Air-to-air heat exchanger with DX

Multiplesupplyandexhaustfans,filters, heattransfermedia,anddirectexpansion cooling assembly

Excellentsolutionwhenaccesstowaterand/orsewer islimited.Isolatesinteriorfromoutdoorair,reducingdata center contamination

Table 2 FDC power options

Type of power configuration Details Best application

Distributed redundant 2-out-of-3 redundancy. Tier III+ equivalent. Typically for data center above 1 MW. Allows concurrent maintenance and is fault tolerant. Reduced UPS expensevs.2N.Usedinthe1,500kWcapacityoption.

Redundant reserve An additional set of power infrastructure to serve as a catchersystem.TierIII+equivalent.

Allows concurrent maintenance and is fault tolerant. Usedinthe500kW,750kWand900kWcapacityoptions.

Custom redundancy Custom redundancy can be designed for each option (2N,N+1,N+2,etc.)

Our standard topologies have been optimized for reliabilityandavailability,concurrentmaintainabilityand fault tolerance. A custom topology may be designedforeachoption,percustomerrequest.

10

UPS configurationsLowering utility and distribution costs for the electrical systems means usingmoreefficientequipment,especiallytheuninterruptablepower supply (UPS) modules. Table 3 shows the available UPS options.

Electrical design features

Therightselectionofelectricalequipmenthelpskeepboth capitalexpensesandoperatingcostsdown,andalsospeedsup the construction phase. HP Flexible DC design features include:

PowerunitslocatedneartheITspace,decreasingfanlosses

Electricalpowermoduleslocatednearloads,shorteningfeederslengths and lowering losses

Standardized electrical equipment (mainly UPS and standby generators),selectedtobecost-effectiveintermsof$/kW, size,anddelivery

All equipment options selected according to best practices for energyefficiency,andsizedbasedonsweetspotsforcostandequipment capacity

Whereapplicable,thedatacenterreceivespoweratmediumvoltageandtransformsitdirectlytoaservervoltageof415V/240V.Thisreduces losses through the PDU transformer and requires less electricaldistributionequipment,savingenergyandreducingconstructioncosts.Anadditionalbenefitisahigherdegreeofavailability because of fewer components between the utility and the server.

Saving time and CAPEX at constructionThe modular design and construction of HP Flexible DC can significantlyimprovetime-to-commissioning.Infact,afterconceptandcommissioning,youcanoccupythedatacenterwithinayear.

Costisanotheradvantage.Becauseofanumberoffactors,meaningful comparisonsofactualconstructioncostsfordatacentersisdifficult.However,basedonamid-levelestimateofcapitalcostsforatraditionaldatacenteratabout$15millionpermegawatt,buildinga6MWdatacenterappropriateforenterpriseusewouldrequireanoutlayof$90million.Withamedianestimateofaround$9million/MW foramodulardesign,however,thisnumberisreducedbyasmuchas 40percent.Figure7givesagraphicalrepresentationofthedifference in cost compared to constructing a traditional data center.

Table 3UPS options for FDC

Type of UPS configuration Efficiency rating

Rotary UPS 94%to95%energyefficient

Flywheel UPS 95%energyefficient

Delta Conversion UPS 97%energyefficient

Double Conversion UPS 94.5%to97%energyefficient

Efficient Mode (Eco-mode) UPS 98%energyefficient

Figure 7 FDCs modular construction can cut capital expenditures by up to 40% compared to a traditional data center

Estimated costs for a data center with 6 MW of IT load. Costs for the traditional monolithic data center are based on The Economics of Prefabricated Modular Datacenters, 451 Research, May 2012; costs for the modular DC are based on HP research.

$20,000,000

$15,000,000

$10,000,000

$5,000,000

$0

$/MW

Traditional data center

$15million/MW

HP Flexible DC

$9million/MW

Construction cost comparison for a 6 MW data center

11

Saving OPEX during operationEnergy is the major cost component of data center operating expenses. For that reason weve developed a state-of-the-art energy evaluation program to help you plan for and select your data center systems.

Duringtheplanningphase,onceyouvemadeyourpreliminaryselectionsforFlexibleDCcapacity,power,cooling,andothersystems,engineeringprofessionalsfromourCriticalFacilitiesServices arm use the evaluation software to perform a comprehensive review of the energy requirements of your facility. The software provides insight into the potential performance of various data centerchoices.Itallowsrunningextensivewhat-ifscenarios, andisinvaluableinthefinalsystemselectionprocess.

Thissoftwareillustratestheadvantagesinefficiencyofourmodularsolutionoveraconventionaldatacenter.Asanexample,weveused this program to evaluate energy usage for a traditional data center andaFlexibleDClocatedinCharlotte,NorthCarolina.

Construction details

Traditional data center Theconfigurationincludesalargechilledwaterplantwithwater-sideeconomizer.Thecoolingsystemtakesadvantageoffreecooling when the outside air wet-bulb temperature is lower than thechilledwatertemperature,whichistypically50F(10C).

HP Flexible DC This example assumes a cooling system using indirect evaporation with air-to-air heat exchangers and DX assist. The cooling system takesadvantageoffreecoolingwhentheoutsideairwet-bulbtemperature is lower than the supply air temperature (typically 75F/24C).

Figure8illustratestheenergyconsumptionandefficiencyof HP Flexible DC compared to a traditional data center.

Analysis of energy consumption and efficiencyIts clear that on an annual basis HP Flexible DC will use less power thantheconventionaldatacenter.Moreover,PUEforthemodulardatacenterisalsolower(1.19vs.1.34),indicatingitssuperiorefficiencycomparedtothemonolithicstructure.

Notallofthebenefitsofthemodulardatacenterareapparentinthisoneanalysis.Forexample,theindirectevaporationsystemofHPFlexibleDCnotonlyprovidesmorehoursoffreecooling,italsoresults in minimal water consumption.

Analysis of energy costs

A second component of the energy analysis process is to predictactualenergycostsovermanyyears.Figure9showsacomparisonofdiscountedoperatingexpensesoverafive-yearperiod.Comparedtoanequivalent6MWtraditionaldatacenter inCharlotte,NorthCarolina,theFlexibleDCsavesmorethan 10percentincoststhefirstyear,andthesavingscontinuethroughout the data centers lifetime.

Much of the savings is the result of HP Flexible DCs indirect evaporation,air-to-airheatexchangercoolingsystem.WhenyoufigureinboththesignificantlylowerfirstcostofFlexibleDC,plusitslowerongoingenergyandmaintenancecosts,theevaporativelycooledFlexibleDCcanhavefive-yearcoststhatare$24millionlessthan a traditional data center relying on water-cooled chillers with water economizers.3

Figure 8FDCofferslowerenergyconsumptionandabetterPUEcomparedtothetraditionaldatacenter

Annual power consumption in kWh for a traditional monolithic data center site in Charlotte, North Carolina (left), and HP Flexible DC (right) at the same location

3 Based on estimates of total cumulative discounted benefit, including first-time costs plus five years of operational costs. Note that results vary from customer to customer and can be affected by climatic and other factors.

IT 52,560,000

Electrical losses 3,416,400

HVAC energy 13,205,502

Lighting, other electrical 1,068,624

Traditional Data Center HP Flexible Data Center

IT 52,560,000

Electrical losses 1,734,480

HVAC energy 7,688,196

Lighting, other electrical 794,789

PUE: 1.19PUE: 1.34

Benefits in the supply chain, tooUnderpinning the HP Flexible DC concept is a foundation of innovative supply-chain management techniques that cut time-to-commissioning and reduce CAPEX. The reduced speed to deployment and lower constructioncostsstemfrommanyfactors,includingstandardization ofcomponents,themenu-drivenselectionprocessforselectingthose components,eventhesinglepointofcontactyouenjoywhenyouengage HP for this solution.

Oursupplychainfocushasotheradvantages,too.Forinstance,the use of standardized assemblies is augmented by HPs ability to leverage purchasing agreements and volume purchasinga capabilitylackingincompaniesthatmayconstructonlyoneortwodatacentersayear.Infact,veryfeworganizationshaveourabilityto capitalize and manage the building of data centers on a large scaleineffecttocommoditizethedatacenterbuild.AtHP,ourvisionistomakebuildingadatacenterastreamlined,seamlessprocess from beginning to end.

SummaryWhenyouconsiderthebenefitsofanengineeredmodulardatacenterandtheadvantagesofworkingwiththeexperiencedprofessionalsofHPCriticalFacilitiesServices,thereisonlyoneconclusion: HP Flexible DC. Now you can realize a data center that providesthecapacityandcustomizationofatraditionaldesign,butwithadditionalflexibility,morerapidtime-to-commissioning,and better return on your data center investment. Whether youre buildingagreenfieldfacilityorseekingtotransitionfromanexistingmonolithicdatacenter,theHPFlexibleDCnumbersmakeaninescapable business case.

FormoreinformationonHPFlexibleDC,visit: hp.com/services/flexdc

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Copyright2010,2012Hewlett-PackardDevelopmentCompany,L.P.Theinformationcontainedhereinissubjecttochangewithoutnotice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

4AA2-1533ENW,CreatedJuly2010;UpdatedNovember2012,Rev.1

Figure 9Employing FDC in a typical location results in substantially lower energy costs every year of operation

$6,000,000

$5,500,000

$5,000,000

$4,500,000

$4,000,000

$3,500,000

$3,000,000

Total discounted operational costs (electricity, maintenance, water, etc.)

Traditional data centerHP Flexible DC

Traditional data center

5-year lifecycle cost comparison

Year 2$5,377,601$4,760,557

Year 3$5,121,525$4,533,864

Year 4$4,877,643$4,317,965

Year 5$4,645,374$4,112,348

Estimated operational costs for 6 MW data centers in Charlotte, North Carolina

Year 1$5,646,481$4,962,585

HP Flexible DC