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Design Recommendations for High-Performance Data Centers
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In 2003, RMI convened an innovative whole-system design charrette to challenge the current model for data centers and develop a groundbreaking data center design—a clean-sheet model with no compromises. We brought together about ninety high-level, broad-thinking, technically deep industry experts with strategic visions in engineering, computer design, energy, data management, business, real estate, and facilities design to consider the challenge of data center energy consumption. Our goal was to leapfrog past incremental and individual efficiency improvements to advanced whole-systems design models—models that ultimately cost less to build, work better, and save astonishing amounts of electricity (or are even net generators of electricity). This report summarizes the recommendations from the charrette.
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