Wellcome Sanger cuts data centre energy use by 33%

The Wellcome Sanger Institute has successfully reduced its data centre power consumption by 33% through a collaboration with EfficiencyIT and Schneider Electric.

The reduction was achieved using Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure IT Advisor software and customised APC Rack Power Distribution Unit (PDU) metering systems. This initiative has also resulted in a 50% increase in computational output, further advancing the Institute's genomic research capabilities.

The project aimed to enhance the energy efficiency of the Wellcome Sanger Institute's genomic data centre located in Cambridge. The centre, known for its large-scale operations within Europe's genomic research sector, has adopted technologies such as high-performance computing (HPC) and graphics processing units (GPU) to manage its increased computational demands effectively, allowing the Institute to sustain its vital research activities.

Simon Binley, Campus Data Centre Operations Manager at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, commented on the project's success, stating, "The technologies hosted within our data centre power a host of HPC and GPU-intensive systems for both the complex genomic research we undertake on campus, and the applied sciences undertaken by our partners. As the hosting, density, and energy requirements of these technologies change, it's vital that we keep the science as sustainable as possible. Our work with EfficiencyIT and Schneider Electric has played a key role in helping us save energy, while increasing our computational capability, significantly."

NVIDIA's recent blog outlined how the Institute leverages its accelerated computing technology to not only save energy but also contribute significantly to cost savings, potentially USD $1 million and conserving 1,000 megawatt-hours annually—sufficient to power an average American home for a century.

EfficiencyIT's Managing Director Nick Ewing highlighted the partnership's achievements, saying, "EfficiencyIT has been a strategic partner to the Sanger Institute's data centre operations team for many years, and to see this project go full circle and deliver these outstanding energy savings is testament to their vision for sustainable, cutting-edge science, powered by best-in-class technology. Together, not only have we been able to reduce their data centre energy consumption by a third, but we've been able to gain valuable data to help improve operational efficiency, and increase the reliability of the power systems deployed in labs across the campus."

Additionally, the project utilised APC Smart-UPS uninterruptible power supplies to secure the sequencing machines from potential data loss due to power outages, preserving data integrity critical to the institution's research. The data centre generates vast amounts of information—up to four terabytes daily—necessitating a robust and reliable infrastructure.

Mark Yeeles, VP Secure Power Division at Schneider Electric UK&I, remarked on the significance of the technological advancements, "Data centres, HPC, and AI have been integral to the life science sector for decades, and play a vital role in global lifesaving research, from cancer and dementia to infectious diseases. We're delighted to see the results of this data centre sustainability initiative, and to see the benefits our EcoStruxure platform has delivered to the Wellcome Sanger Institute, showcasing how critical national infrastructure can be efficient, resilient, and sustainable."

The Wellcome Sanger Institute's efforts exemplify the integration of cutting-edge technology in research facilities to optimise energy use and enhance computational efficiency, underlining the significance of infrastructure innovations in advancing genomic research. The Institute continues to contribute to vital scientific studies within the 'Golden Triangle' of UK life sciences, including London, Oxford, and Cambridge.