METHOD FOR OPERATING A DATA CENTER IN AN ELECTRICAL NETWORK, AND DATA CENTER FOR CARRYING OUT SUCH A METHOD

Abstract

A method for operating a data center in an electrical network, the method including the steps of: processing a plurality of calculation tasks by the data center; and assigning each one of the plurality of calculation tasks at least one of a prioritization value and a calculation complexity, the plurality of calculation tasks being processed taking into account at least one of the prioritization value and the calculation complexity and taking into account a power provision parameter of the electrical network.

Claims

1. A method for operating a data center in an electrical network, the method comprising the steps of: processing a plurality of calculation tasks by the data center; and assigning each one of the plurality of calculation tasks at least one of a prioritization value and a calculation complexity, the plurality of calculation tasks being processed taking into account at least one of the prioritization value and the calculation complexity and taking into account a power provision parameter of the electrical network.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the power provision parameter is a network stability parameter.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the power provision parameter is at least one of a degree of efficiency and an operating point of at least one power generator for the electrical network.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the network stability parameter is selected from a group consisting of a frequency, a current intensity, an electrical voltage, a storage state of an energy storage device, and a target load for the data center.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a power forecast for the electrical network is generated, wherein the plurality of calculation tasks are additionally processed by considering the power forecast.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein a schedule for processing the plurality of calculation tasks is optimized based on the power forecast.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of calculation tasks, with at least one of respectively the prioritization value which has been assigned and respectively the calculation complexity which has been assigned, are transmitted by the data center to the electrical network.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein a timing of at least one computing device in the data center is influenced as a function of the power provision parameter.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the timing one of is selected higher, is selected lower, and is switched one of on and off, depending on the power provision parameter.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein a cooling of the data center is controlled as a function of the power provision parameter.

11. A controller configured for controlling a computing center operated in an electrical network, the controller comprising: the controller, which is configured for controlling a processing of a plurality of calculation tasks by the computing center (1) depending on at least one of a prioritization value respectively assigned to each one of the plurality of calculation tasks and a calculation complexity respectively assigned to each one of the plurality of calculation tasks, and (2) as a function of a power provision parameter of the electrical network.

12. A data center, comprising: a controller configured for controlling a computing center operated in an electrical network and for being configured for controlling a processing of a plurality of calculation tasks by the computing center (1) depending on at least one of a prioritization value respectively assigned to each one of the plurality of calculation tasks and a calculation complexity respectively assigned to each one of the plurality of calculation tasks, and (2) as a function of a power provision parameter of the electrical network

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0051] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a design example of the data center;

[0052] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a first design example of an arrangement of the data center in an electrical network, and at the same time a first embodiment of a method for operating the data center in the electrical network;

[0053] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a second design example of an arrangement of the data center in an electrical network, and at the same time a second embodiment of the method for operating the data center in the electrical network; and

[0054] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the data center and of the method, in particular according to the first or second embodiment.

[0055] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0056] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a data center 1, that is operated in an electrical network 3 shown in FIG. 2, in particular as a consumer. Data center 1 includes a plurality of computing devices 5 which may be designed in particular as a server. Data center 1 moreover includes a controller 7, that is a control device which may be provided in addition to computing devices 5 or may be integrated into one of the computing devices 5, in particular a master computing device. Controller 7 is optionally connected to computing devices 5 via a data network 9. Computing devices 5 are also optionally connected to one another via data network 9. Controller 7 is arranged to control processing of a plurality of calculation tasks 11 on computing devices 5, in particular to specify a chronological sequence and/or parallelization of calculation tasks 11 on computing devices 5. In particular, controller 7 is arranged to specify which calculation task 11 is calculated at which time, in particular on which computing device 5.

[0057] In particular, controller 7 is optionally arranged to distribute calculation tasks 11 to individual computing devices 5.

[0058] Controller 7 is optionally also arranged to turn on or off computing devices 5, in particular individually or in groups, in particular to stop or start a calculation in computing devices 5—individually or in groups. It is possible thereby, for controller 7 to control computing devices 5 via data network 9. It is however also possible that controller 7 is connected to computing devices 5 via a separate control line 13, in particular in order to influence timing of computing devices 5—individually or in groups. Controller 7 is particularly optionally arranged to transmit a—optionally binary—control signal to computing devices 5 via control line 13.

[0059] Data center 1, in particular controller 7 is arranged to carry out a process, described in more detail below.

[0060] Each calculation task 11—in particular by a data center 1 client—has assigned to it a prioritization value and/or a calculation complexity, that is, at least one parameter, or each calculation task 11 has assigned to it—optionally by controller 7—a prioritization value and/or a calculation complexity as the at least one parameter.

[0061] Controller 7 is arranged to specify the processing of calculation tasks 11 by taking into account the respective prioritization value and/or calculation complexity and taking into account a power provision parameter 15 of electrical network 3. Controller 7 is arranged in particular, to determine the time sequence of the processing of computation tasks 11, and optionally their parallelization, depending on the respective prioritization value and/or calculation complexity, and depending on power provision parameter 15.

[0062] Power provision parameter 15 is optionally a network stability parameter or an efficiency of a power generator for electrical network 3.

[0063] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a first design example of an arrangement of data center 1 in an electrical network 3, and a first embodiment of a method for operating data center 1 on electrical network 3.

[0064] Identical and functionally identical elements are identified in the drawings with the same reference numbers, so that reference is made in every such case to the previous description.

[0065] Electrical network 3 has a plurality of power generators 17 assigned to it which in particular may be of a different design, at least partially, wherein volatile power generators, in particular from the field of renewable energies, are also assigned to electrical network 3. For example, at least one of the power generators 17 may be designed as a wind power plant. At least one other power generator 17 may be designed as a solar or photovoltaic system. It is also possible that at least one of the power generators 17 is designed as a combination of an internal combustion engine with an electric machine, in particular as a so-called genset, which is drive-actively connected to the internal combustion engine and operated as a generator.

[0066] Moreover, electrical network 3 is optionally assigned an energy storage device 19 that is arranged to store energy from electrical network 3, irrespective of the specific physical form of energy storage, as well as to release energy to electrical network 3. In an optional embodiment, energy storage device 19 is designed as an electrochemical storage device, in particular as an accumulator or battery.

[0067] Data center 1 is connected to electrical network 3 via an electrical active connection 21. Electrical active connection 21 is optionally designed as a cable or line, or as a plurality of cables or lines.

[0068] In the first embodiment example illustrated herein, as well as in the first embodiment of the method, power provision parameter 15 is in particular a network stability parameter. Advantageously, data center 1 can thus be used to stabilize electrical network 3.

[0069] In general, the network stability parameter is optionally selected from a group consisting of a frequency, a current intensity, an electrical voltage, each optionally measured in or at electrical operative connection 21, a storage state, in particular storage fill level of energy storage device 19, and a target load for data center 1.

[0070] In the herein illustrated design example, or respectively the illustrated embodiment of the method, the net stability parameter is optionally a frequency 23 which is measured or drawn at electrical operative connection 21.

[0071] Controller 7 is designed in particular to postpone processing of calculation tasks with a lower prioritization value and/or higher calculation complexity depending on a deviation of frequency 23 from a setpoint frequency for electrical network 3 and to thereby reduce the processing power of data center 1 and the power draw from electrical network 3, or, in addition to calculation tasks with higher prioritization value and/or lower calculation complexity, to also compute calculation tasks with lower prioritization value and/or higher calculation complexity in order to increase the processing power of data center 1 and thus at the same time its power draw from electrical network 3. In particular, if frequency 23 falls below the setpoint frequency, controller 7 reduces the computing power of data center 1 and thus at the same time the power draw from the electrical network 3. If, on the other hand, frequency 23 rises above the setpoint frequency, controller 7 increases the computing power of data center 1 and thus its power draw from electrical network 3. Data center 1 is thus used in the process as at least a virtual control power source as well as a control power sink in order to stabilize electrical network 3.

[0072] Optionally, controller 7 additionally takes into account a power forecast 25 that is generated for electrical network 3 when determining the processing of calculation tasks 11. In particular, this power forecast 25 can be generated on the basis of weather data and/or the storage level of energy storage device 19. Alternatively or in addition, such a power forecast may be made with respect to holidays, weekends, school vacations, general calendar events, times of day, behavior of consumers on the electrical network, for example, in the use of communication ways or media, public events such as elections, publications of news or stock exchange data, and/or many more.

[0073] Controller 7 establishes especially optionally a schedule for processing of calculation tasks 11 based on power forecast 25, and particularly optionally, it optimizes the schedule on the basis of power forecast 25. Thus, advantageously, the future processing of calculation tasks 11 can be coordinated with the predicted power output of electrical network 3.

[0074] Controller 7 optionally transmits a feedback 27 to electrical network 3 or to an operator of the electrical network regarding remaining calculation tasks, optionally including their respective at least one parameter, that is prioritization value and/or calculation complexity. This feedback 27 is then optionally used to adapt slowly adjusting power generators 17 of electrical network 3, according to future predicted power draw by data center 1.

[0075] Data center 1 is also optionally assigned a cooling system 29, which is optionally also controlled by controller 7 depending on power provision parameter 15. Thus, cooling 29 can advantageously also be included in the stabilization of electrical network 3.

[0076] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a second design example of an arrangement of data center 1 on an electrical network 3 as well as a second embodiment of the method for operating data center 1 on electrical network 3. In this second design example or respectively the second embodiment of the method, power provision parameter 15 is a degree of efficiency of power generators 17, in particular an overall efficiency level of power generators 17, in particular an overall efficiency of all power generators 17. In this case, electrical network 3 optionally includes a plurality of power generators 17, the efficiency of which depends on the power generated or respectively drawn. Optionally, all power generators 17 of electrical network 3 are power generators whose efficiency depends on the generated or drawn power. Such a power generator 17 is, for example, a genset, but also an electrochemical cell, in particular a fuel cell, or battery.

[0077] The processing of calculation tasks 11 is specified by controller 7 in such a way that power generators 17, or at least currently activated power generators 17, are operated at their optimum efficiency or at least close to their optimum efficiency. In particular, the overall efficiency of power generators 17 is optionally optimized by appropriate planning of the processing of calculation tasks 11 by controller 7.

[0078] Optionally, a feedback 27 to electrical network 3 occurs also in this case. In particular, it is possible that controller 7 can switch individual power generators 17 on or off

[0079] In particular, in the design example according to FIG. 3, electrical network 3 is designed optionally as a stand-alone network and is assigned to data center 1 as the sole consumer. In the design example according to FIG. 2, electrical network 3 can also be designed as a stand-alone network. It is however also possible, that electrical network 3 is designed as a supra-regional network, in part as an interconnected network. The embodiment according to FIG. 3 is especially suitable for an electrical network 3, designed as a direct voltage network.

[0080] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a detail of data center 1 as well as of the method for operating data center 1 on electrical network 3, wherein this detail can be implemented accordingly in data center 1 according to FIG. 1 as well as particularly also in the first embodiment according to FIG. 2 and in the second embodiment according to FIG. 3.

[0081] Specifically, FIG. 4 shows an especially optional embodiment, illustrating as to how with the assistance of control line 13, in particular by way of a binary control signal 31 transmitted via control line 13 the computation of calculation tasks 11 in one of the computing devices 5 can be started or stopped.

[0082] For this purpose, binary control signal 31 is linked in an AND element 33 (AND gate) with a timing signal 37 generated by a timing generator 35, the AND element 33 outputting an effective timing signal 39 to a processor 41 of computing device 5. If binary control signal 31 is logically high, timing signal 37 is passed to processor 41 as an effective timing signal 39 by the AND member 33 so that processor 41 is timed and thus operates. On the other hand, if binary timing signal 31 is logically low, timing signal 37 is not passed through AND element 33 so that effective timing signal 39 disappears. Processor 41 does then not perform any calculations because it does not receive a timing signal.

[0083] In this way, the energy consumption of computing device 5 can be reduced or increased very efficiently and at the same time quickly, and the processing of calculation tasks in computing device 5 can be started or stopped.

[0084] Timing generator 35 optionally also generates timing signal 37 for a volatile data memory 43, in particular a dynamic RAM. In this case, timing signal 37 is not stopped or inhibited for volatile data memory 43 in order to avoid data loss, in particular by continuing to operate a refresh mechanism.

[0085] In general, controller 7 is optionally set up to influence the timing of at least one computing device 5 as a function of power provision parameter 15, in particular to select the timing higher or lower depending on power provision parameter 15 or—as specifically shown here—to switch it on or off

[0086] While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.