Comcast
At a Glance
Industry
Telecommunications
Project Type
Commercial Energy Efficiency
Year
2016
Location
Chelmsford, MA
Net Present Value:
$1,200,000
Annual kWh Savings:
3,500,000 kWh
Annual CO2 Reductions:
2,200 metric tons
Summary
Ruth Hupart looked into free cooling technologies as opportunities for Comcast to reduce energy use in its data centers.
Goals
Having previously hosted three EDF Climate Corps fellows, the Northeast Division of Comcast Cable enlisted another fellow, Ruth Hupart, to identify opportunities for reducing the energy operating expenses of its data centers. Data centers are a major contributor to the company’s carbon footprint and Ruth was asked to identify specific projects--and solutions--to maximize energy savings through free cooling technology.
Solutions
Ruth researched different types of free cooling technologies, which use cooler, outdoor air temperatures, as opposed to energy-intensive mechanical air conditioning. She then inventoried air conditioning equipment within the division’s 13 states to determine the best candidates for free cooling upgrades. After visiting sites and consulting with Comcast engineering personnel and vendors, Ruth developed a tool to calculate energy and financial savings from economizers based on the cooling load of the facility.
Potential Impact
Ruth identified five sites as the top candidates for upgrades. If implemented, those locations alone could save 2,186 metric tons of CO2 per year and have a net present value of $1.2 million.