DCEP study plan

DCEP · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Data Center Energy Efficiency Assessment & Energy Metrics, Benchmarking, and Reporting

Define PUE, pPUE, and partial-PUE boundaries and compute each from a sample power-flow diagram
List the major energy end-use categories in a data center and rank them by typical share
Calculate IT load, total load, and overhead from given input figures
Set up a formula sheet linking efficiency metrics to their inputs

A one-page metric formula sheet with three fully worked PUE/pPUE calculations

Week 2

Identify common efficiency opportunities in lighting, UPS losses, and auxiliary loads
Explain how economizer hours and climate zone affect annualized efficiency
Compute annual energy use from average and peak load profiles
Compare measured versus modeled savings for a described retrofit scenario

A written assessment of a described facility identifying at least six efficiency opportunities with estimated impact

Week 3

Distinguish design PUE from operational PUE and explain why they diverge
Describe how measurement points and metering granularity affect reported metrics
Compute DCIE and CUE from given energy and carbon inputs
Interpret a 12-month metric trend and identify likely causes of drift

A trend-interpretation memo explaining three causes of PUE drift with supporting calculations

Week 4

Map IT load to power, cooling, and airflow demand for a described equipment mix
Explain the effect of virtualization and consolidation on utilization and overhead
Describe power-capping and its tradeoffs for capacity and efficiency
Identify idle or underutilized equipment and quantify the recoverable capacity

A consolidation analysis showing before/after load, utilization, and estimated overhead reduction

Week 5

Distinguish air-side and liquid-side cooling approaches and their efficiency implications
Apply containment, blanking panels, and hot/cold aisle principles to a described layout
Explain the relationship between supply temperature, return temperature, and cooling efficiency
Identify airflow management faults and propose corrective actions

An airflow remediation plan for a described room listing at least five faults and fixes

Week 6

Trace power from utility entrance through transformation, UPS, and PDU to the rack
Compute distribution losses at each stage and identify the largest contributors
Compare UPS operating modes and explain efficiency-versus-protection tradeoffs
Explain redundancy topologies and their effect on part-load efficiency

A power-path loss budget table with stage-by-stage efficiency and total overhead

Week 7

Define benchmarking boundaries and normalize metrics for fair comparison
Describe common reporting frameworks and what each metric communicates
Build a dashboard outline tying operational data to reported metrics
Explain limitations of single-number metrics and when to use supporting indicators

A benchmarking and reporting plan with metric definitions, boundaries, and a dashboard outline

Week 8

Synthesize all domains into an integrated efficiency improvement scenario
Solve timed mixed-domain calculation problems under exam conditions
Review and correct every missed item from prior weeks
State the key tradeoffs linking IT load, cooling, power distribution, and metrics

A full-length timed practice set with a written review of every incorrect answer

Week 2: Can compute PUE, pPUE, and DCIE from raw inputs without notes and explain each term's boundary

Week 4: Can quantify how an IT load change propagates into cooling and power overhead

Week 6: Can build a complete power-path loss budget and identify the dominant loss stage

Week 8: Scores at least 80% on a timed mixed-domain set and has a written fix for each missed concept