http://www.environmentalleader.com/2012/08/24/intel-kt-test-energy-efficient-data-center-technology/

Intel has partnered with South Korean telecom company KT Corporation to develop energy-efficient technology to reduce power consumption at data centers, according to news reports.

The new system, if applied to every KT-owned center, would save 8.6 billion won ($7.6 million) annually, Korea Times reported. Implementing the new system in every data center in South Korea would save up to 44.8 billion won ($39.6 million).

The two companies showcased a high-temperature ambient test center on Aug. 21 in Cheonan, South Korea. The technology allows data centers to operate in temperatures higher than 30 degrees Celsius, which would help cut energy costs needed to cool centers to the optimal 18 to 21 degrees Celsius range, ZDNet said.

Data centers save about 7 percent on air conditioning costs for every degree they raise the temperature above 22 degrees, according to Korea Times.

Following additional tests, the two companies plan to use the technology in the Cheonan data center by the end of 2013, Yonhap News Agency reported. After the Cheonan facilities, they'll use it at all 10 KT data centers in the country.

About half the power used by a typical data centers supports its infrastructure, including cooling systems, according to the US Department of Energy.

Earlier this moth, ComEd, a unit of Chicago-based Exelon, introduced an efficiency program aimed at reducing the energy use of data centers by optimizing cooling and improving power delivery and IT capabilities. According to ComEd, data centers can consume 100 to 200 times more electricity than standard office spaces.