Consulting-Specifying Engineer - October 2007 - (Page 42)

Going Green in Data Centers Organizations should work together to coordinate an all-encompassing effort that will address data center energy efficiency so that important ideas are not overlooked. BY WILLIAM J. KOSIK, PE, CEM, LEED AP, Managing Principal, EYP Mission Critical Facilities Inc., Chicago he August release of a study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on data center energy efficiency adds fuel to the fire in the research and development of new ways to reduce energy use. The findings on the energy use of data centers, summarized at www.energystar.gov/datacenters, are staggering: • Data centers consumed about 60 billion kWh in 2006, roughly 1.5% of total U.S. electricity consumption. • The energy consumption of servers and data centers has doubled in the past five years and is expected to nearly double again in the next five years to more than 100 billion kWh, costing about $7.4 billion annually. • Federal servers and data centers account for approximately 6 billion kWh (10%) of this electricity use, at a total electricity cost of about $450 million per year. • Existing technologies and strategies could reduce typical server energy use by an estimated 25%, with even greater energy savings possible with advanced technologies. T Several organizations are working to reduce energy consumption in data centers. Capitalizing on this momentum is critical to the success of this endeavor. However, it is equally critical that there is a coordinated, all-encompassing effort that will address the different areas so that important ideas are not overlooked. This effort has similarities to the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED rating system. The rating system was developed and is maintained “via a robust consensus process that has been refined over more than a decade of leadership experience. The key elements of the USGBC’s consensus process include a balanced and transparent committee structure; Technical Advisory Groups to ensure scientific consistency and rigor; opportunities for stakeholder comment and review; member ballot of new rating systems and certain changes to existing rating systems; and a fair and open appeals process.” Using LEED as a model, it will be possible to dovetail in the following initiatives that are already underway (these are just a sampling of 42 Consulting-Specifying Engineer • OCTOBER, 2007 Photography: Data Aire Inc. http://www.energystar.gov/datacenters

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Consulting-Specifying Engineer - October 2007 Contents On the Web In the News M/E Roundtable How To Beat the Energy Codes Professional Practices Codes & Standards A Capital Job on Engineered Buiding Systems Going Green in Data Centers Overcurrent Protection: Fuses or Breakers? Third-Party Liability Management Report New Products Product Spotlight Jobs/Classifieds Specifier's Notebook

Consulting-Specifying Engineer - October 2007

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