Is the Risk & Energy Reduction Programme an assessment or training?
It’s a blend of both: OI work collaboratively with the key stakeholders, facilitating knowledge transfer and giving them the technical support they need in order to do their own risk and energy assessment. Programmes are CIBSE CPD certified.
How does this approach differ to traditional consulting?
By engaging with the on-site team and their direct operational experience, including practical knowledge of the existing systems and other site based limitations, OI can deliver and in-depth analysis and enhance client knowledge, giving them ownership of improvements and an improved long-term result.
What does the programme cover?
Each programme is bespoke and adapted to client needs based on a core set of modules on data centre risk and energy. The emphasis is on short term practical steps for the facility under study and our team develops workshops to address the associated systems, issues and participants. A full programme lasts around 14 months, commencing with 12 workshops spread over 2-3 months at the start. Shorter variations to focus on specific areas can also be delivered.
The human element is an important theme: modules include organisational vulnerabilities, including structure and resources, maintenance, change management, processes and documentation, commissioning, operability and maintainability, and operator depth of experience; knowledge, experience and attitude.
What is the value of training the on site team?
Most failures are caused by human error. Learning from experience, both for individuals and organisations is important to reduce risk and improve reliability. Similarly, a solid understanding of best practice data centre design and operation allows operators to optimise energy consumption without increasing risk and reduce total cost of ownership.
What are the typical outcomes of the Risk & Energy Reduction Programme?
The operational team gain a deeper understanding of the critical systems, reducing the likelihood of outages and present their action plan of improvements to management. On average the programme has enabled an energy reduction of 12% with an 8 month payback. Collaborative working improves cross-departmental communication and staff motivation.
We already have risk / energy reduction initiatives in progress, does this duplicate those?
Our programmes are bespoke and can thus complement any relevant past / ongoing projects, for example by involving relevant third parties. Our knowledge sharing approach focusses on the human element and will provide important context and help to enhance the understanding of the operational team so they can derive the maximum benefit from any other initiatives.