I’ve been looking for a Resource Modeling Tool to build models for a Green Data Center. Data Center Models were another reoccurring theme in a few Data Center Dynamics London sessions, but I didn’t hear anybody discuss their tools.
Luckily, I was able to go to a local presentation by Thetus’s CEO Danielle Forsyth where she presented their Tupolo Resource Modeling.
Understanding the impact of actions and the degree of progress towards goals requires a holistic understanding of all facets of a problem. Tupolo resource modeling is for those who need to understand overall system dynamics; simulate outcomes for different incentive, campaign and policy options; optimize campaigns and incentives to meet goals set for policy makers, environmental groups, engineering and community outreach; and ultimately assess results against defined objectives.
Thetus Tupolo™ Resource Modeling Solutions
The Tupolo solution provides the ability to model interconnected systems of systems to achieve a unified view of complex problems. The functions and relationships of different organizations and interest groups can be modeled to help maximize a particular program's benefits and effectiveness. The application of Tupolo modeling to the management of resources such as energy, infrastructure and human capital can assist not only policy makers, but can encourage community involvement and participation—with a high degree of personalization—in meeting goals.
This looks like the ideal tool, and I am looking forward to have discussions with Danielle. We briefly discussed data center design workflow and how Autocad drawings with a BIM (Business Information Model) can be used to build a Green Data Center Model taking into account a full life cycle and its impact to the environment.
The Tupolo modeling solution should fit well with Skanska’s vision for a Living Data Center I”ve mentioned in previous post. Designing in real-time data center monitoring with modeling is the next big step in data center design.
A model like this enables what if analysis and make ROI calculations for monitoring solutions like OSIsoft’s PI system.
The awesome part is Danielle has already done work on modeling environmental impact of systems like storm water runoff, and in many ways a data center are easier to model than a water system. Although I am curious to get into a water monitoring discussion as you can take OSIsoft’s Water and Waste Management solution and combine it with the Tupolo water model.
Keeping pace with the improvements necessary to manage stormwater through large infrastructure additions can be a significant economic hardship for cities, not to mention invasive and inconvenient. Big pipe projects are increasingly at odds with mounting public awareness of environmental issues and pressure on public officials to constrain the skyrocketing costs of grey building projects and embrace green management strategies.
Cities are therefore exploring solutions that depend less on resource-intensive, large-scale projects and more on green, cost-efficient and community-based improvements aimed at addressing stormwater at its source. To this end, Portland, OR, recently launched a $50 million, five-year "grey to green" initiative to fund the protection and restoration of the city's watersheds through green infrastructure. This approach, which includes planting trees, removing culverts, implementing ecoroofs and removing invasive plant species, requires community action and participation in stormwater programs.