Partnering with Computer Data Centers
The Industrial Technologies Program (ITP), through Save Energy Now, is working with U.S. computer data centers to reduce their energy consumption. This Web page describes the planned activities and partnerships. Sign up now to participate in the DOE effort to reduce data center energy use!
Read about the DOE focus on Creating Energy-Efficient Data Centers (PDF 1.7 MB). Download Adobe Reader.
DC Pro Software Tool, Release 1.1.1 Now Available
The Data Center Energy Profiler, or DC Pro, is an online software tool designed to help industries worldwide quickly "diagnose" how energy is being used by their data centers and how they might save energy and money. Your company can use DC Pro as a first step to identify potential savings and to reduce environmental emissions associated with energy production and use. Using DC Pro and information about your data center, you can complete a profile in about an hour. The tool provides an overview of your company's energy purchases, data center energy use, savings potential, and a list of specific actions you can take to realize these savings.
DOE invites you to test this beta version of DC Pro and submit your feedback.
National Data Center Energy Efficiency Information Program
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have initiated a joint national data center energy efficiency information program. The program coordinates a wide variety of activities from the DOE Industrial Technologies Program Save Energy Now initiative, the DOE Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), and the EPA ENERGY STAR program.
The following Fact Sheets summarize ongoing efforts at DOE and EPA to provide information, tools, and resources to owners and operators of data centers to assist in their efforts to reduce energy consumption in their buildings. They also provide links to a wide variety of organizations outside of the Federal government that can be of help in your efforts to improve energy efficiency.
For more information, contact the DOE EERE Information Center at 1-877-337-3463 or eereic@ee.doe.gov.
Read the fact sheet for the National Data Center Energy Efficiency Information Program (PDF 225 KB). Short fact sheet (PDF 84 KB) Download Adobe Reader.
DOE Save Energy Now Data Center Energy Efficiency Tools Workshop
On December 18, 2007, DOE held a workshop with approximately 40 industry stakeholders to discuss the development of the "DC Pro" software tools suite. DC Pro will be used to benchmark the energy efficiency of data centers and assist data center operators to self-identify key energy saving opportunities.
The workshop included breakout sessions on four key topics: 1) DC Pro software tool, 2) air management, environmental conditions, and cooling systems, 3) electrical systems and 4) IT equipment and software. The workshop included participation in two webinars — hosted by both DOE and EPA with over 70 additional participants- to underscore the Agencies' desire to cooperate in the development of energy metrics and assessment protocols.
Read the presentation materials from the workshop. Download Adobe Reader.
- DOE Data Center Energy Efficiency Program and Tool Strategy (PDF 449 KB), Paul Scheihing, U.S. DOE, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Industrial Technologies Program
- DOE Data Center Tools Suite Overview (PDF 261 KB), Paul Mathew, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
- DOE Data Center Tools Suite Data Center Energy Profiler ("DC Pro") (PDF 120 KB), Kim Trabor, Rumsey Engineers
- DOE Data Center Tools Suite Assessment Tool Development Electrical Example (PDF 186 KB), Greg Young, EYP Mission Critical
DOE/Green Grid Team Up on Data Centers
Read about the DOE and the Green Grid Association teaming up to increase data center energy efficiency. DOE and the Green Grid Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding (PDF 92 KB) to accelerate adoption of energy efficient technologies and energy management practices. Download Adobe Reader.
Energy-Hungry Data Centers
Data centers perform computing functions vital to the U.S. economy, yet they require large amounts of energy to operate. In 2006, U.S. data centers used about 61 billion kWh—roughly 1.5% of all retail U.S. electricity sales.
To support the growing demand for processing power throughout the nation, data centers are using ever more compact and energy-intensive servers—even as the total number and size of data centers continues to increase. This is creating a serious burden on the U.S. electric grid.
An Opportunity for Energy Efficiency
A coordinated program of focused R&D and operating practice improvements in computer data centers will produce large energy savings, reduce the load on the electric grid, and enhance data center reliability.
Benefits of Energy Efficiency Improvements in Data Centers
- Limit growth in electricity demand and carbon emissions
- Protect critical data and computing functions
- Increase regional electricity reliability
- Postpone the need to build new electricity generation capacity
Resources to Reduce Energy Demand
The DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and its partners can work with data centers to deploy energy management best practices and conduct supporting targeted research and development. The EERE strategy will focus on the following:
Building on the Save Energy Now assessment model: EERE can use the Energy Savings Assessments framework to help computer datacenters benchmark energy use and identify opportunities to reduce energy by 25% or more. Activities include:
- Develop software tools to profile and analyze data center energy use
- Conduct assessments to find near-term ways to cut electricity demand
- Train data center operators in energy management practices and tools
- Develop curriculum and certification process for Data Center Energy Specialists
- Disseminate information on energy saving opportunities and best practices for data centers.
Forging technology development partnerships: EERE will work with data center equipment suppliers and end users and the National Laboratories to explore joint EERE-industry R&D opportunities.
Learn More
To learn more about data center energy use and the current research, best practices, and information on data center energy efficiency sponsored by the California Energy Commission and Pacific Gas and Electric, please visit the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Web site. To learn more about EERE's work with data centers, check out our fact sheet (PDF 124 KB). Download Adobe Reader.