SCTE: Cool Headends with Data Center Methods

April 17, 2017
According to a case study by the SCTE, cable operators can address headend cooling power consumption by utilizing lessons learned in data ...

According to a case study by the SCTE, cable operators can address headend cooling power consumption by utilizing lessons learned in data centers. The case study will be presented this week at an Energy 2020 plenary session hosted by the SCTE/ISBE.

The case study will discuss several of the "top 12" opportunities for energy savings identified by Energy Star. These include technological advances such as using smaller fiber-optic interconnects rather than larger copper interconnects, and opportunities through backup powering.

In the case study, the cost of heat removal is discussed in detail from an air handling perspective, as well as by removing heat from the headend to other distributed portions of the plant.

Handling hot and cold air properly by preventing the two from mixing can significantly improve cooling efficiency. As discussed in the case study, reducing air flow impediments is beneficial.

"While the continuing evolution of data center equipment has greatly improved capacity and performance, there has been an accompanying significant increase in power requirements and, therefore, the need to efficiently remove the resulting heat," said David Kozischek, manager, Applications and Market, Corning Optical Communications, who prepared the case study for the Energy 2020 plenary session. "Service providers are facing the reality that a new cooling architecture is required to extend the life of existing facilities and infrastructure, while enabling continued growth."

The Energy 2020 meeting and plenary will be conducted on April 18-19 at Comcast's Chesterbrook, PA, facility.