ASHRAE Journal - July 2012 - 6

industry news
Apple to Power Data Center With All Renewable Energy
CUPERTINO, Calif.—Apple is planning on powering its huge North Carolina data center entirely from renewable energy by the end of this year. Apple says it is building two solar arrays around its Maiden, N.C., iDataCenter that will supply around 84 million kWh of electricity yearly. The sites will use high-efficiency solar cells and an advanced solar tracking system. It also plans to build a bio-gas fuel cell plant that will use methane gas from landfills. The data center went live in mid-2011 and currently supports services like iCloud, which is used by more than 100 million users of the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The center has previously received LEED Platinum certification from the USGBC and has the largest end-user owned solar array in the U.S. Source: Reuters

Sustainability Base generates more electricity than it consumes. MOFFETT FIELD, Calif.—NASA’s newly opened office building at the Ames Research Center is being called the nation’s “greenest” federal building. Known as “Sustainability Base,” the 50,000 ft2 (4600 m2) two-story office building generates more electricity than it consumes. It also uses 90% less water than other buildings. The lunar-shaped building is designed to optimize its performance automatically, in real time, and in response to internal and external changes. It will know exactly how much energy each occupant uses and can adapt to weather, season and occupancy. Source: NASA

NASA’s ‘Sustainability Base’ Opens

Philadelphia to Rank Buildings by Energy
PHILADELPHIA—Owners of large commercial buildings in Philadelphia will be required to report their energy consumption to city government under a new system that would rank buildings for efficiency in an effort to spur conservation. The ordinance requires owners of buildings larger than 50,000 ft2 (4600 m2) to report their energy and water consumption. The city would then assign the building a score based upon standardized ENERGY STAR rankings. The rule would go into effect on June 1, 2013. Failure to comply with the Philadelphia law would be punishable by a $300 fine for the first 30 days and then $100 a day.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

HP Developing NZEB Data Center
PALO ALTO, Calif.—HP Labs is developing a net zero energy data center. The design, which is being tested at a 3,000 ft2 (280 m2) facility at the company’s campus, uses existing technologies. The test bed includes photovoltaics and a cooling system that can use fresh air or mechanical cooling, and consolidation strategies that boost server use to reduce power demand. A key component of HP’s strategy is using a mix of critical and non-critical workload. The HP Labs software estimates the output available from the solar array and the power required to run the applications, and then schedules workloads to take advantage of the daytime power peaks from the array.
Source: Data Center Knowledge

2013 AHR Expo Expands to Meet Demand
WESTPORT, Conn.—To meet the demand for more exhibit space from exhibitors, AHR Expo show management has reserved an additional 40,000 ft2 (3700 m2) on Level 1 of the Dallas Convention Center for the 2013 event. The world’s largest HVAC&R show already encompasses the entire second level of the Center with more than 350,000 ft2 (32 500 m2) of exhibit space. Source: International Exposition Company “Many of our long-time exhibitors are expanding the size ofSaving Energy Vital for Business companies their current booths and nearly three dozen new HOUSTON—Ninety several thousand square feet of floor have already reserved percent of companies have set goals on electricity use and energy management practices, according to space,” said Clay Stevens, president of International Exposition Company, survey produces and manages for Energy Solutions. a recent which by the Deloitte Center AHR Expo. InThe more than 1,400 exhibitors have alreadyfound that busiall, annual survey, “reSources 2012,” also reserved space, putting it ondrivingto surpasscut energy consumption, and plan nesses are track efforts to the last AHR Expo in Dallas, in 2007, which is the largest AHR25% over three to Southwest. to cut their energy use nearly Expo held in the four years. The 2013 AHR Expo of respondents view reducing electricity Eighty-five percent will be held Jan. 28–30. Source: International Exposition costs as essential to staying financially competitive. Company Among other highlights of the study: • Nearly two-thirds (63%) of businesses say their customers
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are demanding that they offer them more environmentally considerate solutions, up from about half (49%) in last year’s survey. • More than three-fourths (76%) say they actively promote their green/environmental efforts to their clients and customers, compared to 65% last year. • Approximately 6 in 10 (61%) have pay-off period requirements for their energy efficiency investments, with an average pay-off period of about four years. • More than half (57%) have an internal rate of return (IRR) requirement for investments in solutions that provide for greater energy efficiency. Of those that do, the average IRR hurdle is 21%. Source: Deloitte
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ASHRAE Journal - July 2012

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