Comments on: Goldman Sachs Eyes Servers With Batteries

By: jeff 2

jeff 2 — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:59:02 +0000

I dont understand why server manufacturers have not pushed out dc power supplies that run in the 400 volt range so that we can simply deploy a central battery plant that is more efficient and deliver the voltage the server in the way it wants it over smaller wire infrastructure in the dc.

This will save in many areas and will reduce harmonics and associated excess heat from this as well. additionally the apparent power to run the servers will be less due to the fact that there is less draw since there is no need for ac power supplies to go from ac to dc. We can just rectify once at a central plant which is far more efficient.

I keep scratching my head on this one. DC power supplies are far more expensive still…….doh!

By: Bob L

Bob L — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:55:21 +0000

I think it is plausible design. We now have to deal with recycling of the servers. Just add batteries to that list. Most sites already have battery UPS’s. There is already a ready process to deal with batteries. Since servers last 3 to 5 years, batteries should be able to last that same length. Decomm a server, remove hard drive for destruction IAW info sec rules, step 2 remove battery, place in battery recycle bin. Etc.
Google is doing it, I’m sure they have already worked through that issue. They would be severely embarrassed if it came out they were not properly disposing of batteries.
The one bit I’m interested in is how do you handle various size servers? We have 1U, 2U, Blades, etc… Google seems to have a standard server, but most folks do not. They purchase a server based on needs.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:56:52 +0000

So, any guesses as to what happens when high inlet temps (a ‘trend’ lately) meet servers laden with lowest-cost-bidder lead acid batteries and a power outage drops half of the data center because the batteries are too cooked to hold the load until the generator starts? Good luck with the ROI number once the bill for 500 new batteries and the labor to install them all comes in! I am all for innovation but this makes total DC distribution look positively conservative and vanilla by comparison.

We need to be hearing about some innovations in long life, highly durable alternative material batteries *before* we make the leap… How good of an idea it is to put lead and acid inside every server is certainly to be determined.

By: You Ask, Stockpickr Answers: March 4

You Ask, Stockpickr Answers: March 4 — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:49:44 +0000

[...] Goldman Sachs Eyes Servers With Batteries « Data Center Knowledge [...]

By: Thursday data center tidbits. « The Server Room

Thursday data center tidbits. « The Server Room — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:26:08 +0000

[...] is the piece about Goldman Sachs following Facebook and Google by putting backup batteries in servers. It’s amazing how a bad idea can have legs some times (have fun recycling all that toxic [...]