Savings from using new CPUs in hybrid installations using renewable energy sources (RES)

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Savings from using new CPUs in hybrid installations using renewable energy sources (RES)

Hybrid installations that use renewable energy sources (RES) such as solar panels, wind turbines, or batteries aim to maximize energy efficiency. In this context, the selection of new and more energy-efficient CPUs can offer several benefits:

  1. Lower Energy Consumption:
    New CPUs with lower TDP consume less energy, which directly translates to a reduced load on the RES power system.
    Reducing energy consumption by the CPU allows for better management of available energy resources, which is crucial in off-grid or hybrid installations.
  2. Extended Operating Time on RES Resources:
    In systems with limited power, such as those powered by solar panels or wind turbines, lower energy consumption by the CPU allows systems to operate longer without the need to use additional power sources, such as fossil fuel generators.
  3. Reduction of Operational Costs:
    Lower energy consumption leads to reduced operating costs. In the context of RES, this may mean less battery usage and fewer charging cycles, extending their lifespan.
    Lower energy consumption can also reduce cooling costs for servers, which is important in server rooms partially powered by RES.
  4. Optimization of RES Resource Utilization:
    In hybrid systems where RES energy is combined with traditional sources, lower CPU energy consumption can allow for more flexible management of these sources. For example, more energy can be allocated to other critical systems and less to servers.
  5. Reduction of CO₂ Emissions:
    Lower energy consumption by newer CPUs in hybrid installations reduces the need to rely on conventional energy sources, which translates to lower CO₂ emissions, supporting the goal of reducing the carbon footprint.

Summary:

The use of new CPUs with lower TDP in hybrid installations utilizing RES brings benefits such as reduced energy consumption, extended operating time on renewable resources, and lower operational and environmental costs. This leads to more sustainable and efficient system operation, which is key in modern IT solutions, especially where RES energy is a significant part of the energy mix.

Example:

Why it is worth investing in new server solutions, as demonstrated by servers for routing handling 6-7 million packets.

Comparison of E3-1200 and E-2100/E-2200/E-2300/E-2400 processors  
Part number Description TDP Passmark Launch date
P4X-UPE31230-320-8M Intel® Xeon® Processor E3-1230 8M Cache, 3.20 GHz 80W ~5100 Q2 2011
P4X-UPE31230V2-SR0P4 Intel® Xeon® Processor E3-1230 v2 8M Cache, 3.30 GHz 69W ~6100 Q2 2012
P4X-UPE31230V3-SR153 Intel® Xeon® Processor E3-1230 v3 8M Cache, 3.30 GHz 80W ~6800 Q2 2013
P4X-UPE31231V3-SR1R5 Intel® Xeon® Processor E3-1231 v3 (8M Cache, 3.40 GHz) 80W ~7040 Q2 2014
P4X-UPE31230V5-SR2LE  Intel® Xeon® Processor E3-1230 v5 (8M Cache, 3.40 GHz) 80W ~7900 Q4 2015
P4X-UPE31230V6-SR328 Intel® Xeon® Processor E3-1230 v6 (8M Cache, 3.50 GHz) 72W ~8250 Q1 2017
P4X-UPE2134-SR3WP Intel® Xeon® E-2134 Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.50 GHz) 71W ~9220 Q3 2018
P4X-UPE2234-SRFAX Intel® Xeon® E-2234 Processor (8M Cache, 3.60 GHz) 71W ~9950 Q2 2019
P4X-UPE2334-SRKN6 Intel® Xeon® E-2334 Processor (8M Cache, 3.40 GHz) 65W ~13000 Q3 2021
P4X-UPE2434-SRMXC Intel® Xeon® E-2434 Processor (12M Cache, 3.40 GHz) 55W ~16430 Q4 2023

For the purposes of this entry, let's assume that the router consumes as much electrical energy as the processor's TDP. The difference between the generations from 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2015, and the latest one from 2023, is 25W.

We can perform a simple calculation:

25W x 24 x 365 = 219,000W = 219kWh/year

The savings amount to 219kWh. Given that the price of electricity continues to rise due to EU policies, it can be expected that the financial savings will increase each year.

Summary:

Intel Xeon processors have evolved in terms of core count, performance, and energy efficiency. Newer models, such as the E-2334 and E-2434, offer better performance at the same or lower TDP compared to older units, which is especially beneficial in applications requiring high computational power with limited energy consumption.

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