GRNET has installed and operates a data and services center that serves hospitals. As a result, the storage of imaging examinations in the Health sector is modernized and the service offered to citizens of the country is improved. The data center is housed at the University of Crete in Heraklion and hosts cloud computing services for the 31 connected hospitals in 8 regions of the country.

Its modern design offers “green” solutions in the way it operates, thus achieving optimal power effectiveness (low value in the Power Usage Effectiveness index – PUE). In addition, during the design process, the optimal load capacity back-up has been taken into consideration, as the equipment hosting the infrastructure remains efficient even in partial charge condition. The latter is achieved by using equipment with dynamic adjustment characteristics such as Variable Frequency / Speed ​​Drive in pumps, compressors and fans. Finally, the design solution of the data center aims at optimizing the availability and reliability of the infrastructure, by installing redundant material and double routes, in order to avoid single points of failure and to facilitate maintenance of the infrastructure without disrupting the operation of the data center.

Thirty (30) scaffolds of IT equipment with a standard 19” size, which can support up to 190kW in total, have been installed in the data center. The loads are supported by 2x250kVA UPS (with 2N backup) with accumulators for autonomy of at least 10 minutes at full load. In case of interruption or unstable operation of the power supply of the data center, the loads are automatically switched to a power generating pair (H/ Z) of 1100 kVA that is available in stand-by condition.

The data center has been designed with a 100% expansion capacity both in terms of space and power. In this context, it proceeded to interventions of power savings and Renewable Energy Resources (RER) production, within a wider strategy of saving power and raising environmental awareness in the academic community and the public sector. The geographical location, favors temperatures higher than the Greek average temperature, thus making the use of relatively larger air conditioning systems in the data centers necessary. Meanwhile, longer periods of sunlight favor the production of electric power through photovoltaic panels.

The combination of methods and mechanisms that optimize the energy effectiveness and reduces the cost of electric power of the ENEDI Act generates multiplying benefits:

• A study has been concluded and innovative systems for the active management of computing load distribution have been implemented that help towards the overall reduction of consumption through the smart load distribution and the coordination of consumption with the variable production of photovoltaics.
• A 100 KWp photovoltaic system with energy compensation in the low net metering has been installed.

Finally, through the implementation of DICTYNNA project “Upgrading the energy footprint of the University of Crete and the National Health Data Centre”, the University of Crete in collaboration with GRNET, installed two PV systems of 300 and 200 KWp. The first one is connected to the National Health Data Centre power metering (virtual metering) and is expected to cover most of its consumption needs.

The services offered by GRNET in the Health sector may be viewed here

The GRNET node located in the Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs, hosts important computing and storage infrastructures through which most of GRNET services are provided. The node includes three independent spaces:

• DC1 Space hosts the optical equipment of the data center, the carrier equipment for the connection to the GRNET network, as well as the GRNET computing and storage infrastructures, such as the Virtual Machines – ViMa (http://vima.grnet.gr) and okeanos (http://okeanos.grnet.gr/) services. For the installation of the equipment, scaffolds of standard 19” size with integrated power distribution system have been installed. The space has a total of 30 scaffolds, 12 in-row air conditioning scaffolds, 2 cabins for film library equipment and 3 scaffolds with structured optical/copper cabling infrastructure and the optical and network equipment of the node. The loads are also supported by 3x250kVA UPS uninterruptible power supply systems (with N + 1 backup) located in another space, called UPS-ROOM. Finally, there are cold storage facilities and coolers. The premises are air-conditioned by using cold water, produced by two 2x500kW coolers with 1 + 1 reserve for availability reasons. In case of interruption or unstable operation of the power supply of the data center, the loads are automatically switched to a 1100kVA power generating pair (E / Z) in stand-by condition, in the surrounding area.
• The DC2 Space hosts the ARIS national high performance computer system (HPC), that supports large-scale scientific applications (http://hpc.grnet.gr/). It consists of 20 scaffolds hosting servers and storage equipment. For the installation of the equipment, scaffolds of a standard 19′ size, with integrated power distribution system have been installed. The premises have a total of 20 scaffolds, 10 in-row air conditioning scaffolds, 2 cabins for film library equipment. The loads of the space are supported by 3x250kVA UPS uninterruptible power supply systems (with N + 1 backup). The space is air-conditioned by using cold water, produced by 4x117kW coolers with reserve N + 1 for reasons of availability.
• The DC3 space hosts the infrastructure of the Virtual Machines expansion – ViMa (http://vima.grnet.gr) and okeanos (http://okeanos.grnet.gr/) services with the addition of new computing and storage resources. The DC3 space comprises of 22 scaffolds hosting servers and storage equipment. For the installation of the equipment, scaffolds of a standard 19′ size, with integrated power distribution system have been installed. The space has a total of 22 scaffolds, 14 in-row air conditioning scaffolds and 2 down-flow air conditioning units for humidity control. The loads are supported by 3x250kVA UPS uninterruptible power supply systems (with N + 1 backup). The space is air-conditioned by using cold water, produced by 3x171kW coolers with reserve N + 1 for reasons of availability. In case of interruption or unstable operation of the power supply of the data center, the support of the loads is undertaken by the power generating pair (E / Z) which supports the DC1.

Air conditioning and energy saving techniques

In GRNET Data & Services Centers, the energy consumption specifications of the scaffolds used for the cooling of the computer systems are considerably high (high density cooling), whereas the height of each space is quite low. Thus, the configuration and air conditioning of each space has the following characteristics:

• Creation of scythes with hot and cold corridors;
• Βoxing of the hot or the cold corridor in order to achieve the natural separation of the two corridors;
• Air conditioning units that are suitable for installation on the scaffold rows with forced air circulation in horizontal or vertical plane. The units suck from the hot corridor, whereas the heat from the IT equipment is dissipated and induct /bring it into the cold corridor area.
• The air conditioning system is dynamically adjusted depending on the thermal load in order to reduce the total consumption:
• Automatic regulation of the air flow with variable fans
• Automatic regulation of the coolant flow in the closed cooling system by adjusting the operation of the installed pumps.
• The air conditioning system incorporates energy saving techniques by exploiting the external environmental conditions for the cooling of the IT equipment without activating the mechanical cooling (direct/indirect water free-cooling). The energy saving function of the cooler takes advantage of low environmental temperatures during winter and supplies the High Precision Air Conditioners with cold water, which operate in cooling mode all year round, even from 17οC, allowing partial energy savings (partial Freecooling).
• The Cooling System operates in sync with all the coolers in operation even when they operate on energy saving mode- Freecooling. Thus, during the synchronized operation of all coolers, the result of energy saving – Freecooling is multiplied and the installation benefits from the maximum possible power savings.

Physical Security Systems

Data & Service Centers have systems of fire detection, firefighting, access control, alarm and video surveillance that guarantee the protection of the control and surveillance personnel, as well as the equipment.

Fire detection of the premises is happening with systems of early fire detection through the space’s air suction and sampling with special piping that runs through each apartment (false floor, false ceiling and main area).

Firefighting is affected by using fire-fighting equipment that is recognized by international certification organizations (NOVEC 1230) as suitable for areas where both working personnel and electrical/mechanical IT equipment are present, and where there should be no residues during the release. It is safe for humans as it is not released at high pressures and does not reduce significantly the quantity of oxygen in the room.

All systems have remote access and monitoring mechanisms from a Repair center that operates 24/7.