A just published ANSI/ASHRAE data center energy standard features a performance-based approach that is more flexible and accommodating of innovations.
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 90.4-2016, Energy Standard for Data Centers, establishes the minimum energy efficiency requirements of data centers for design and construction, for creation of a plan for operation and maintenance, and for utilization of on-site or off-site renewable energy resources.
“We worked very hard to craft this standard in a manner that does not stifle innovation in the data center industry while simultaneously offering criteria to help ensure energy savings,” said Ron Jarnagin, chair of the 90.4 committee. Standard 90.4 offers the design components for mechanical load (MLC) and electrical loss (ELC). Calculations of the MLC and ELC are made, and then compared to the maximum allowable values shown in the standard based on climate zones.
Compliance with the standard is achieved when the calculated values do not exceed the values contained in the standard. An alternative compliance path is provided that allows tradeoffs between the MLC and ELC.
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Aug 28, 2019
Top 45 Data Center Construction Firms for 2019
Whiting-Turner, Turner, Holder, DPR, and Fortis top the rankings of the nation's largest data center sector contractors and construction management firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 28, 2019
Top 50 Data Center Engineering Firms for 2019
Vanderweil, ESD, kW Mission Critical, Jacobs, and EXP head the rankings of the nation's largest data center sector engineering and engineering architecture (EA) firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 28, 2019
Top 35 Data Center Architecture Firms for 2019
Corgan, HDR, Gensler, AECOM, and Page top the rankings of the nation's largest data center sector architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Data Centers | Aug 9, 2019
This will be Central Florida’s largest data center
Baker Barrios Architects is designing the project.
Data Centers | Jul 25, 2018
Data centers keep cool while staying hot-hot-hot
Cooling mission critical facilities efficiently is critical to their operations and profitability.
Data Centers | Jun 22, 2018
Can this new data center concept combat climate change?
The concept has been dubbed The Spark.
Data Centers | Feb 22, 2018
Demand for ‘hyperscale’ data centers continues to grow; U.S. leads the way
The number of so-called “hyperscale” data centers worldwide surpassed 390 at the end of 2017, with 69 more facilities in the works, according to Synergy Research Group.
Giants 400 | Oct 16, 2017
Data center market forecast: Clearly cloudy
Look for mission-critical construction to double in the next few years.
Data Centers | Oct 13, 2017
Top 35 data center construction firms
Turner Construction Co., Holder Construction, and DPR Constrcution top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest data center sector contractors and construction management firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Oct 12, 2017
Top 30 data center engineering firms
Syska Hennessy Group, AECOM, and Morrison Hershfield top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest data center sector engineering and EA firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
