Edge Datacenter with Smart Retrofit

This project demonstrates economical retrofit strategies (the emerging technology (“ET”)) to improve energy efficiency in small-scale edge datacenters. These edge data centers usually have a limited cooling capability relying on a less efficient building heating, ventilation, air conditioning (“HVAC”) system, thus is often overlooked in the data center sector. Since more and more edge data centers are being constructed and distributed among the communities (many of them in the urban areas) where grid power is constrained, the aggregated energy saving potential and its support to grid flexibility can be substantial if a cost-effective, easy-deployable technologies can be demonstrated specifically for those small-scale data centers. This project integrates digital air-cooling controls with real-time thermal management, as well as server virtualization with dynamic workload consolidation. Unlike existing approaches that address computing or cooling loads independently, this project validates a coordinated information technology (“IT”) facilities optimization strategy delivering 25–35% total facility energy savings through real-time communication between computing workloads and cooling systems. The primary barrier addressed in this project is the lack of guidelines for energy efficient retrofits in edge computing environments. By demonstrating a range of energy efficiency technologies in server rooms, this project establishes a reproducible and economical retrofit methodology tailored to small-scale datacenters. An economic analysis will also be conducted to justify investments for small operators. This project’s outcomes will support energy efficiency program design efforts aimed at overcoming the barrier of developing standardized program delivery models.The commercial market sector is the main target. Implementing server virtualization and workload consolidation can yield a 20–30% computing load reduction through dynamic workload allocation. Retrofitting existing datacenter cooling systems with digital dampers and variable speed controls enables dynamic airflow management based on real-time workloads, resulting in an additional‑ 30–40% reduction in HVAC energy consumption. Furthermore, workload consolidation contributes to extra HVAC savings by reducing server cooling requirements. The expected payback period for this ET is between 1.2 and 2.6 years, with a total resource cost (“TRC”) ranging from 2.8 to 4.2 years.This project aligns with the “Data Centers & Enterprise Computing” technology research area of the 2025 technology priority map (“TPM”) and supports efficient modular/edge computing research initiatives. It will develop retrofit strategies specifically focused on improving the energy efficiency of small-scale edge datacenters, with the goal of creating economical, easy to deploy solutions for emerging edge infrastructure. This project will also explore demand flexibility opportunities by analyzing load patterns for various workload types and applying technologies such as power capping and workload allocation to support load management.