Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 107 | Page 60

FEATURE : ENERGY MANAGEMENT

Managing energy consumption in IT and AI systems presents several significant challenges , particularly when integrating advanced tools with existing infrastructure . This process often requires substantial upfront investment and technical expertise , which can be daunting for many organisations .

“ Maintaining continuous monitoring to dynamically adjust energy usage demands sophisticated analytics and AI capabilities ,” says Shaffra ’ s Wehbi .

In a technology-driven landscape like the UAE ’ s , where smart city initiatives and high-technology environments are prevalent , leveraging real-time data for energy optimisation is crucial .

optimising existing systems for better efficiency . A lack of standardisation in measuring energy efficiency and limited financial incentives further hinder progress .

“ Balancing performance , energy savings , system reliability , and sustainability goals often require significant infrastructure upgrades and adopting renewable energy sources ,” says Kyndryl ’ s Azba .

“ Remember , customers are asking for this . ESG goals , emissions targets , and adherence to national and international standards are all being added to RFPs ,” says Pure Storage ’ s Akar .

“ Those companies who cannot prove they are taking strides to reduce their carbon emissions will be financial losers as they are already being excluded from deals . Businesses need to start approaching ESG issues from all angles ,” adds Akar .

“ At Kyndryl , several challenges in managing energy consumption have been identified , including the integration of new management solutions with existing systems and accurately measuring energy use due to dynamic workloads ,” adds Azba .

The exponential increase in data volumes requires additional storage capacity , which increases energy consumption . This in turn causes challenges for cooling and power management inside the data centre as it contributes significantly to the overall energy consumption .

“ Balancing the costs associated with energy consumption , including electricity and cooling , against the need for high-performance storage solutions is a critical challenge ,” says NetApp ’ s Issa .

“ Another challenge is the inefficient resource utilisation and how to track and optimise these resources in real-time . Being compliant can be challenging and therefore keeping up and adhering to evolving energy efficiency regulations and sustainability standards can be demanding ,” adds Issa .

Pure Storage sees green credentials incorporated into every RFP response . It is a key part of how decisions are being made . Global companies are telling technology suppliers , they have to adhere to certain standards and demonstrate accurate figures for reduced energy use or they will not be considered .

Range of operational benefits

Organisations can leverage advanced energy monitoring and management tools ; for instance , Kyndryl utilizes real-time insights and AI-driven technologies to dynamically optimise power usage . Additionally , adopting energy-efficient hardware , IT virtualisation , and advanced cooling technologies improves efficiency .

Modern technology approaches like Kyndryl Bridge , for example , facilitate these outcomes by enabling real-time monitoring and management of IT energy consumption . The platform optimizes efficiency , automates power adjustments , and reduces costs while supporting broader sustainability objectives in a seamless , integrated manner .

NetApp addresses these challenges through innovative solutions such as ONTAP , Active IQ , Cloud Insights , and BlueXP Sustainability Dashboard which collectively help organisations optimise energy consumption , reduce costs , and enhance sustainability .

These efforts , combined with sustainability frameworks , enable organisations to align IT practices with broader environmental goals , improving both operational performance and environmental responsibility .

60 INTELLIGENTCIO MIDDLE EAST www . intelligentcio . com