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By eliminating vibrations, a server can read hard disks more efficiently, using less energy. At the same time, data centers can benefit from converting to DC power systems to eliminate the energy loss inherent in AC systems. Another trend is the use of free-cooling.

Tests show that as vibration increases, making it harder for a disk drive to read and write data, the power consumption can more than double, according to HPCWire.

Hard drives themselves can be the source of the vibration, as well as cooling fans, chiller pumps and the general vibrations occurring between racks of hardware. Building racks and other infrastructure out of carbon fiber, instead of metal, can dampen the energy-sucking vibrations.

The data center at Syracuse University, which has been touted as among the greenest data centers in existence, is using a modern DC power system that eliminates much of the power lost when using AC systems, reports CNNMoney.

The data center, which was designed by IBM, uses a DC system from Validus. With other energy saving features factored in, the data center is projected to consume about half the energy of a similar one.

In Iceland, a 430,000-square foot former NATO command center is being converted into a data center, reports Information Week.

With the abundant cool climate, the data center will take advantage of free-cooling to reduce its energy costs.

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