Engineered Systems - September 2008 - (Page 44)

LEED®? Or Get (It) Out Of The Way? at previous LEED-certified data centers and may have implied that their designers gamed the system. In reality, I think no such thing. I just am saying the rules have changed dramatically. You might think that I think no data center can ever be certified under NC, and I would tell you you’re wrong. There will always be creative and dedicated design teams that will make LEED a priority and find ways to get there. Especially when companies like Google and Microsoft are footing the bill for more aggressive and progressive facilities. But most of us don’t work for Internet giants. Data centers are popping up all over the place, and their sizes and Watt densities are all over the map. Most are for clients and owners whose primary business isn’t IT — folks whose facility know-how is probably commercially or institutionally base; people who operate office buildings, college campuses, primary, and secondary schools, etc. These are the very people who have fallen in behind LEED, and for good reason. The purpose of this article is to educate and enable you to intelligently and convincingly redirect the discussion of a green data center away from the LEED model, and instead to one that is more organic and project-specific. LEED may actually end up being right for your project, but it should be an outcome, not a driver, in the discussion. The destination should always be a green data center. I’m just saying that as the ones who are responsible for guiding the energy discussion, we need to start from a different perspective. A green data center may in fact be an oxymoron, but that shouldn’t stop you and your team from creating the most environmentally responsible oxymoron possible. So admit to your client that their building is in fact an energy hog and not automatically a candidate for LEED. But then, I say sidle up to that pig, put on that green lip gloss, and with intelligence and conviction … go for it … and kiss her like you mean it. ES Dickens is a deputy director specializing in mission critical design for Jacobs Global Buildings North America – Design Practice. Reach him at kevin.dickens@Jacobs.com. References 1. Turner, Melanie, “$100M data center rises,” Sacramento Business Journal, June 13, 2008. 2. USGBC, Credit Interpretation Rulings, Energy & Atmosphere: Optimize Energy Performance, date of CIR 2/28/2007, date of ruling 3/23/2007. 3. USGBC, Credit Interpretation Rulings, Energy & Atmosphere: Optimize Energy Performance, date of CIR 7/10/2007, date of ruling 8/13/2007. 4. Interpretation IC 90.1-2004-X OF ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, date approved –April 12, 2008. 5. EPA, Report to Congress on Server and Data Center Energy Efficiency Public Law 109-431, August 2, 2007. 6. NBI/USGBC, Energy Performance of LEED for New Construction Buildings, March 4, 2008. Rental Services for your temporary needs • Air- and Water-Cooled Chillers • Air Handlers • Heating and Cooling DX Packaged Units • Power Generators • Cooling Towers • Pumps • Ancillary Equipment • Cooling Contingency Planning © 2008 Trane www.trane.com/rentalservices Call 1-800-755-5115 available 24/7 Input 200 at www.esmagazine.com/instantproductinfo 2/19/08 1:50:58 PM ESM03084Trane.indd 1 ed S y stem s September 2008 44 En gi neer http://www.trane.com/rentalservices http://www.trane.com/rentalservices http://www.esmagazine.com/instantproductinfo

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Engineered Systems - September 2008

Engineered Systems - September 2008 Contents Editor's Note HVAC Challenge Back2Basics Case In Point Commissioning Building Automation HVACR Designer Tips Application Checklist LEED®, Or Get (It) Out Of The Way? BACnet Supplement Race To Market Steam Humidification In Pharmaceutical Facilities Outside Air, Inside Data Centers Forecast: Increasingly Cloudy And Under Control Products Computers & Software Literature Glossary Classifieds Advertiser Index Tomorrow's Environment

Engineered Systems - September 2008

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