Benchmarking Energy Efficiency in Tropical Data Centres – Metrics and Mesurements

The 21st century is driven by the digital economy through the vast use of "Information and Communication Technologies". This has created the "Data Centre Business and Industry" which will continue to grow with e-commerce, mobile users, social media, internet of things, smart grid and smart cities. Data Centre’s energy consumption and energy prices (cost) are increasing due to growing demand for Information and Communication Technology and Services. Thus, it has become increasingly important to focus on energy efficiency and sustainability to stay competitive and provide better services for Data Centre operators. Energy efficiency also reduces the carbon footprint by three times as one unit (energy) saved at consumer will save 3 units (energy) at the source. In addition, Energy Efficiency supersedes the benefit of using renewable energy in reducing carbon emissions. This has led to Green ICT initiatives to enhance energy efficiency in ICT devices as well as using ICT devices. Several countries conducted Benchmarking Energy Efficiency of Data Centres, namely US (2007), EU(2010), Japan (2011), Singapore (2012), India (2012 & 2014) and Malaysia (2015) This paper presents Benchmarking Energy Efficiency in Tropical Data Centres and proposes recommendations for Data Centre Industry to stay sustainable and competitive and reduce emission.