Providing computational resource availability based on power-generation signals
Example embodiments for providing computation resource availability based on power-generation signals are presented herein. An embodiment may involve receive information indicative of power-generation economic signals at a first control system and identifying at least one of: (i) a change in a power-generation economic signal that exceeds a predefined threshold change, (ii) a power-generation economic signal that is below a predefined lower threshold limit, or (iii) a power-generation economic signal that is above a predefined upper threshold limit. Responsive to the identification, the embodiment involves performing at least one of: (i) adjusting a rate of power use by a flexible datacenter, and (ii) providing an indication of computation resource availability to a second control system. The flexible datacenter may include a behind-the-meter power input system, a power distribution system, and computing systems configured to receive power from the behind-the-meter power input system via the power distribution system.
1. A method comprising:
receiving, at a first control system, information indicative of a plurality of power-generation economic signals;
based on the received information, identifying, by the first control system, at least one of:
(i) a change indicative of a power-generation economic signal that exceeds a predefined threshold change, (ii) a power-generation economic signal that is below a predefined lower threshold limit, or (iii) a power-generation economic signal that is above a predefined upper threshold limit; and
based on the identification, performing at least one of: (i) adjusting a rate of power use by a flexible datacenter and (ii) determining and providing an indication of computation resource availability to a second control system,
wherein the flexible datacenter comprises a behind-the-meter power input system, a power distribution system, and a plurality of computing systems configured to receive power from the behind-the-meter power input system via the power distribution system and
wherein the adjusting a rate of power use by the flexible datacenter comprises ramping up, ramping down, or adjusting power consumption by at least one of the plurality of computing systems.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first control system comprises a datacenter control system collocated with the flexible datacenter.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first control system is configured to receive power from a power grid.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first control system comprises a remote master control system located remote from the flexible datacenter.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second control system comprises a datacenter control system collocated with the flexible datacenter.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the second control system is configured to receive power from a power grid.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second control system comprises a remote master control system located remote from the flexible datacenter.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first control system and the second control system are the same control system.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of computing systems are further configured to also receive power from a power grid via the power distribution system.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of computing systems are capable of switching between receiving behind-the-meter power and grid power.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one or more power-generation economic signals of the plurality of power-generation economic signals are based on a cost of power received from a power grid.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one or more power-generation economic signals of the plurality of power-generation economic signals are based on a purchase price for power associated with the flexible datacenter.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one or more power-generation economic signals of the plurality of power-generation economic signals are based on a cost associated with selling power from an amount of behind-the-meter power to a power grid.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one or more power-generation economic signals of the plurality of power-generation economic signals are based on a comparison of a first price for power grid power relative to a second price for behind-the-meter power.
15. A system comprising:
a flexible datacenter comprising:
a behind-the-meter power input system,
a power distribution system, and
a plurality of computing systems configured to receive power from the behind-the-meter power input system via the power distribution system; and
a first control system configured to:
receive information indicative of a plurality of power-generation economic signals;
based on the received information, identify at least one of:
(i) a change indicative of a power-generation economic signal that exceeds a predefined threshold change,
(ii) a power-generation economic signal that is below a predefined lower threshold limit, or
(iii) a power-generation economic signal that is above a predefined upper threshold limit; and
based on the identification, perform at least one of:
(i) adjusting a rate of power use by a flexible datacenter comprising a plurality of computing systems, and
(ii) determining and providing an indication of computation resource availability to a second control system;
wherein the adjusting a rate of power use by the flexible datacenter comprises ramping up, ramping down, or adjusting power consumption by at least one of the plurality of computing systems.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the first control system comprises a datacenter control system collocated with the flexible datacenter.
17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the first control system comprises a remote master control system located remote from the flexible datacenter.
18. The system of claim 15 , wherein at least one or more power-generation economic signals of the plurality of power-generation economic signals are based on a purchase price for power associated with the flexible datacenter.
19. The system of claim 15 , wherein at least one or more power-generation economic signals of the plurality of power-generation economic signals are based on a comparison of a first price for power grid power relative to a second price for behind-the-meter power.
20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to store instructions, that when executed by one or more processors, cause a control system to perform functions comprising:
receiving information indicative of a plurality of power-generation economic signals;
based on the received information, identifying at least one of:
(i) a change indicative of a power-generation economic signal that exceeds a predefined threshold change,
(ii) a power-generation economic signal that is below a predefined lower threshold limit, or
(iii) a power-generation economic signal that is above a predefined upper threshold limit; and
based on the identification, performing at least one of:
(i) adjusting a rate of power use by a flexible datacenter, and
(ii) determining and providing an indication of computation resource availability to a second control system,
wherein the flexible datacenter comprises a behind-the-meter power input system, a power distribution system, and a plurality of computing systems configured to receive power from the behind-the-meter power input system via the power distribution system;
wherein the adjusting a rate of power use by the flexible datacenter comprises ramping up, ramping down, or adjusting power consumption by at least one of the plurality of computing systems.