ShareASHRAE publishes the Energy Standard 90.4 for Data Centers
Data centers consume significant amounts of electricity. ASHRAE publishes a standard to help builders focus on energy efficiency.
According to a 2012 survey conducted by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), office buildings with data centers use significantly more electricity than other office buildings. Indeed, the servers usually operate continuously and data centers are kept very cool to avoid failures associated with overheating. The electricity intensity (that is the consumption per square foot) in buildings with data centers is 87%, 60%, and 20% higher than in buildings without data centers in the 50,000 square feet or less, 50,001–200,000 square feet, and greater than 200,000 square feet categories, respectively.
For further information about these figures, consult the article published by the Energy Information Administration in October 2016: Office buildings with data centers use significantly more electricity than other offices.
These observations, coupled with a desire to implement energy-efficient design measures, led the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) to create the Standard 90.4-2016, “Energy Standard for Data Centers”. It establishes the minimum energy efficiency requirements for the design and construction of data centers, for the creation of a plan for operation and maintenance and for the utilization of on-site or off-site renewable energy resources. The standard also includes a sample compliance checklist, diagrams to illustrate compliance and sample calculations.
To consult the ASHRAE Standard 90.4, click here.
For further information about these figures, consult the article published by the Energy Information Administration in October 2016: Office buildings with data centers use significantly more electricity than other offices.
These observations, coupled with a desire to implement energy-efficient design measures, led the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) to create the Standard 90.4-2016, “Energy Standard for Data Centers”. It establishes the minimum energy efficiency requirements for the design and construction of data centers, for the creation of a plan for operation and maintenance and for the utilization of on-site or off-site renewable energy resources. The standard also includes a sample compliance checklist, diagrams to illustrate compliance and sample calculations.
To consult the ASHRAE Standard 90.4, click here.