SKT Develops Data Center Power Saving Technology with Intel... 55% Reduction

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Su-yeon] SK Telecom announced on the 16th that it has succeeded in developing power-saving technology for cloud data centers used in 5G networks to reduce power consumption and carbon emissions in collaboration with Intel.

The ‘Dynamic Power Saving (DPS)’ technology, jointly researched and developed by SKT and Intel, adjusts the power consumption of key components (CPU, memory, etc.) used in virtualized servers in cloud-based 5G network data centers in real time according to customer traffic trends.

Researchers from SKT and Intel conducting a final technology test on power saving at the SKT Bundang office.
[Photo by SKT]

Data centers that make up mobile communication networks consist of a large number of cloud-based virtualized servers and mainly handle customer data traffic for 5G mobile communications. Existing virtualized servers always set maximum performance regardless of traffic volume, consuming maximum power and carbon emissions.

Through this collaboration, the two companies succeeded in developing core technology that detects large traffic conditions in real time and dynamically optimizes the server’s processing performance down to fine details, thereby reducing power consumption and carbon emissions of virtualized servers and, ultimately, 5G network data centers.

By applying the DPS developed by SKT and Intel to data centers, a continuous 24-hour power-saving effect according to customer data traffic trends can be expected. It can reduce the cumulative power consumption of CPUs in virtualized servers by 42% compared to existing levels, with a maximum reduction of up to 55%. Additionally, unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions from data centers are reduced, leading to expected carbon reduction effects.

SKT plans to apply the results of this research to commercial equipment by the end of this year after additional improvements and review processes. The long-term goal is to reduce consumption by about 10 GWh and cut approximately 5,000 tons of carbon by 2030.

SKT is currently promoting cooperation with key partners for the commercialization of DPS this year and plans to publish a joint technical white paper in February that contains the know-how from the research and development process between the two companies to facilitate wider use.

SKT and Intel have jointly developed core technologies for wired and wireless mobile communications over the past decade. The two companies have especially created a global cooperation system for joint development of technologies prioritizing customer data and voice traffic processing and commercialization of ‘5G network virtualization.’ Based on this research result, they plan to continue research and development to expand and commercialize low-power server technology applied equipment.

Ryu Tak-gi, head of infrastructure technology at SK Telecom, said, “Through continuous technological development cooperation with Intel, we were able to develop technology that contributes to the optimization and efficiency of 5G infrastructure,” adding, “This technology is also significant from an ESG perspective in terms of power reduction and carbon savings. SKT will continue efforts to practice ESG management through technology.”

Dan Rodriguez, General Manager and Vice President of Intel Network Edge Solutions Group, said, “Our long-standing collaboration with SKT has produced another technological achievement for the network industry,” and added, “By utilizing the telemetry technology of Intel Xeon Scalable Processor, companies like SKT will be able to achieve clear power reduction effects, helping them meet greenhouse gas emission targets.”