Telefónica has taken a decisive step in its energy efficiency strategy with the implementation of an innovative data center management and optimization solution developed by Telefónica Germany in collaboration with the company EkkoSense.
In the context of the Group’s automation plan, Autonomous Network Journey (ANJ), the project manages to transform the thermal management of critical infrastructures and move towards a more efficient and automated operation model. Early evaluations of the program point to an estimated 15–20% reduction in energy consumption of cooling systems, generating an immediate impact on energy OpEx and contributing to improving operational efficiency.
The project, already underway and registered within the framework of the Autonomous Network Project (ANJ), uses IoT sensors, advanced analytics and a 3D digital twin in real time to transform the thermal management of data centers and other critical infrastructures, moving towards a more efficient and automated operation model.
Optimize the operation of data centers
Data centers and technical locations represent one of the largest sources of energy consumption in the technology and telco sector. As data traffic grows and capacity demands skyrocket, optimizing the operation of data centers is key to containing costs, reducing the environmental footprint and protecting the operational resilience of the network.
With this project, Telefónica Germany directly addresses this challenge, incorporating real-time intelligence and predictive capabilities to more precisely manage climate control in data centers, improve Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), avoid premature expansions of data centers and optimize infrastructure investments.
The deployed solution allows real-time monitoring of the status of critical equipment within data centers, having a dynamic map of thermal and load risks, and receiving automated recommendations to eliminate inefficiencies and extend the useful life of the equipment, maintaining operational continuity. The digital twin also allows the physical, electrical and thermal capacity of data centers to be modeled, visualized and projected, maximizing efficiency without compromising performance. Likewise, it allows analyzing data center infrastructure through simulation against failure scenarios and designing action plans to minimize risks.
The deployment stands out for its speed: new data centers or technical sites can be integrated in a matter of days, without interruption of service and without the need for additional works or infrastructure.
As Rüdiger Kunze, Director of Housing & Site Infrastructure at Telefónica Germany, highlights: “Digitalization makes the data center visible; automation makes it intelligent. EkkoSense’s digital twin combines both, allowing data center operators to redefine energy efficiency and proactively guide their infrastructure into the future.”
“One of the main barriers to data center optimization has always been the complexity of traditional tools like DCIM. EkkoSense solves this challenge for Telefónica Germany by leveraging new levels of granularity in sensorization, real-time analytics and 3D visualization capabilities to create a concise digital twin of the data center environment. This approach makes real-time immersive optimization a reality, from the smallest edge site to the largest data centers,” added Dean Boyle, CEO of EkkoSense.
Results that drive efficiency
Early evaluations of the program point to an estimated 15–20% reduction in energy consumption of cooling systems in data centers. These savings generate an immediate impact on energy OpEx and contribute to improving the operational efficiency of data centers.
In parallel, continuous monitoring of thermal behavior in data centers makes it possible to avoid unnecessary investments thanks to better use of existing capacity and prevent risks through predictive alerts and proactive maintenance. It also helps simplify reporting with automatic and auditable data and build a more resilient operating model in the face of increases in IT load in data centers.
Telefónica reaffirms its commitment to building more efficient, resilient and sustainable data centers and digital infrastructures
The project will be rolled out progressively over the coming years, prioritizing data centers and locations with the highest energy consumption. Telefónica will continue to extend this approach to other markets of the Group, sharing learnings, developments and success stories to accelerate the adoption of energy efficiency technologies in data centers.
With initiatives like this, Telefónica reaffirms its commitment to building more efficient, resilient and sustainable data centers and digital infrastructures, capable of accompanying traffic growth, the expansion of digital services and the transition towards a more responsible energy model.
A demonstration of this solution is available both in LaCabina, Distrito Telefónica’s space in Madrid dedicated to technological inspiration, and in the Innovation Experience Area of O2 Telefónica Germany in Munich, who, together with EkkoSense, have made this demo possible. LaCabina also incorporates other solutions sponsored by the GCTIO area that show how Telefónica is making firm progress in its Autonomous Network Journey and in the optimization of data centers.
