Kevin Dickens, P.E.

Behind The Curve: Opportunities For Data Center Efficiencies

You may be underestimating how many energy-saving steps you can take right now for that data center, no approvals required. And why are so many people still in there, anyway?

Kevin Dickens, P.E.

January 9, 2018

After 20 years in data centers, you might think I hang out on the bleeding edge with liquid-cooled chips, servers immersed in mineral oil, and computers singing “Daisy Bell” in three-part harmony.

Fluid Cooling In Data Centers — If Now Now, When?

Fluid Cooling In Data Centers — If Not Now, When?

Trends don’t always follow the expected path (or timeline), but the basics remain the basics and increased cabinet density remains inevitable. Let’s revisit the progress of liquid in data center strategy and the tenets of a future-proof(ish) hybrid design for today.

Kevin Dickens, P.E.

January 10, 2017

Ten years ago in this very publication, I did something I never do. I went out on a limb and made a prediction.

A Smarter Start To Data Center Design

As the saying goes, the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. On a data center project, some tailored software can often point things in the right direction. Novices and grizzled veterans alike would be wise to peruse some of these options for maximizing their new construction and retrofit results.

Kevin Dickens, P.E.

August 5, 2016

My data center design experience is old enough to drive this year.

A Matter Of Philosophy: The Wisdom Of Bill Coad

Kevin Dickens, P.E.

October 28, 2015

Simple versus oversimple, Matchmaker versus Master, innovation versus inertia … our veteran data center expert looks back on time spent with an industry leader and looks forward with some lessons in mind.

Drought, Dystopia And Data Center Design

Kevin Dickens, P.E.

August 3, 2015

Are we headed for a scenario reminiscent of big-budget disaster films? Maybe not. But when it comes to water usage, it’s time for engineers to put down the popcorn and embrace a new role: designer of more responsible data centers. Optimizing cooling towers, boosting the CoC, and considering your WUE are just three steps for maintaining the flow of information while minimizing the flow of H₂O.

Discovery vs. Disaster: Know The Limits Of Your Data Center

Try to whittle down the unknown unknowns.

Kevin Dickens, P.E.

April 1, 2015

To this day, the greatest surprise of my life occurred when I was a young student at Berkeley Junior High. At the year-end assembly, unexpectedly, I heard my name called as they announced the recipient of the Seventh Grade Citizenship Award.

Countdown To Netzero

The federal push toward break-even building energy is real, and the clock is ticking. The public sector will be flocking toward forward-thinking designs (and designers) like never before — prepare to rule more of the roost, or lay an egg.

Kevin Dickens, P.E.

August 1, 2014

Chickens. I have been thinking a lot about them recently.

A Solid-State Of Mind: Prepping For The Next Wave

What aspects of bleeding-edge data center thought can I incorporate for leading-edge designs? What is the future of the compressor in these environments? Or the future of a designer who doesn’t ask questions like these?

Kevin Dickens, P.E.

April 1, 2014

Why are you an engineer? Did you love math and science as a kid and simply follow your bliss? Or were you pushed into it by your guidance counselor even though your heart was somewhere else?

DCIM, DOAS, maybe LEED?

Pull up a pixel and pick an acronym, any acronym …

Kevin Dickens, P.E.

December 23, 2013

How many blogs are there? I would suggest one too many if I am now contributing to one.

The X-Factor: Y Should U Care?

Unprecedented vendor-neutral data has been brought down from the mountain on a digital tablet.

Kevin Dickens, P.E.

September 1, 2013

Unprecedented vendor-neutral data has been brought down from the mountain on a digital tablet. That’s helpful for data center designers, but applying a little thought and site-specific consideration can reveal the path to wisdom in areas like failure rate, noise, power draw versus temperatures, and more.