India’s digital infrastructure is expanding rapidly, with data centres supporting banking systems, consumer platforms, e-commerce networks, and cloud environments.
As facilities scale to meet this growing demand, operators face a core operational challenge: maintaining stable performance while controlling energy use.
Data centres run continuously, generate heat around the clock, and operate in a climate where temperatures remain high for most of the year. Efficient energy management therefore becomes a daily requirement, not a future ambition.
The strategies below reflect practical measures used across India to maintain reliability and improve energy performance.
#1 Strengthening Cooling Efficiency Through Controlled Airflow
Cooling remains one of the largest operational loads in Indian data centres. Facilities gain efficiency by improving how cooled air moves through server halls.
Effective practices include:
- hot- and cold-aisle containment to prevent thermal mixing
- gap sealing around cable routes and racks to stabilise airflow
- optimised temperature and humidity setpoints aligned to ASHRAE standards
- regular airflow verification to ensure containment systems continue to perform
- precision cooling units that adjust output based on IT load
Thermal imaging helps identify uneven cooling, blocked paths, or hotspots that increase energy use. These insights allow teams to refine airflow patterns before conditions affect uptime.
#2 Using Predictive Maintenance to Improve Equipment Efficiency
Power and cooling assets consume more energy when operating under strain. Predictive maintenance helps identify early signs of inefficiency across:
- chillers and cooling towers
- CRAC / CRAH units
- UPS systems and battery strings
- switchgear and power distribution units
Sensors track data such as vibration, temperature, pressure, and power draw. Facilities teams use this information to schedule maintenance at the right time, reduce avoidable component failures, and ensure assets remain within efficient operating ranges.
This lowers energy use and extends asset life without interrupting service.
#3 Integrating Renewable and Low-Carbon Solutions
India’s energy landscape is shifting toward cleaner sources. Data centres increasingly explore options that reduce grid dependency and support long-term sustainability goals.
Practical approaches include:
- solar PV installations for partial power offset
- battery energy storage systems (BESS) to reduce peak-load impact
- high-efficiency transformers and switchgear to minimise losses
- alignment with IGBC, LEED, or local green-building standards
- load balancing to reduce reliance on diesel generators
These measures support both operational reliability and compliance with national energy-transition priorities.
#4 Real-Time Energy Monitoring for Better Decision-Making
Stable operations depend on accurate, real-time data. Energy use fluctuates based on server load, cooling demand, and external weather conditions. Monitoring tools allow teams to review performance at both system and component level.
Common tools include:
- IoT-based power meters
- CAFM platforms that consolidate site-wide data
- dashboards tracking PUE, equipment efficiency, and load shifts
- automated alerts for abnormal consumption patterns
This visibility supports upgrades, targeted interventions, and budget planning. It also strengthens reporting for internal reviews and customer audits.
#5 Building a Skilled and Aware Workforce
Reliable energy performance depends on people as much as it depends on systems.
Engineers, technicians, and on-site specialists influence how assets are operated, adjusted, and maintained.
Key practices include:
- routine checks for airflow obstructions or leaking cooling lines
- verifying setpoints during shift rounds
- reporting changes in vibration, sound, or temperature
- adjusting maintenance schedules to reflect load conditions
- continuous training on cooling, electrical safety, and energy optimisation
When frontline teams understand both the technical and operational impact of energy use, efficiency becomes part of everyday behaviour.
Conclusion
Energy efficiency supports reliability, resilience, and long-term operational control in India’s data centres. Through structured facilities management, predictive monitoring, and well-trained teams, operators maintain stable environments while reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
For operators looking to strengthen energy performance or interpret efficiency data across cooling and power systems, our team can share examples from data centres operating in similar conditions across India.
