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
Energy | Mar 20, 2023
Battery energy storage market predictions are trickier than ever
Burns & McDonnell breaks down the state of battery energy storage today, from pricing concerns to alternative solutions.
Giants 400 | Feb 9, 2023
New Giants 400 download: Get the complete at-a-glance 2022 Giants 400 rankings in Excel
See how your architecture, engineering, or construction firm stacks up against the nation's AEC Giants. For more than 45 years, the editors of Building Design+Construction have surveyed the largest AEC firms in the U.S./Canada to create the annual Giants 400 report. This year, a record 519 firms participated in the Giants 400 report. The final report includes 137 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Data Centers | Feb 6, 2023
Modular electric rooms are the new normal
Southland Industries breaks down the prefabrication benefits of Modular Electric Rooms (MERs).
Sponsored | Resiliency | Dec 14, 2022
Flood protection: What building owners need to know to protect their properties
This course from Walter P Moore examines numerous flood protection approaches and building owner needs before delving into the flood protection process. Determining the flood resilience of a property can provide a good understanding of risk associated costs.
Data Centers | Nov 28, 2022
Data centers are a hot market—don't waste the heat!
SmithGroup's Brian Rener shares a few ways to integrate data centers in mixed-use sites, utilizing waste heat to optimize the energy demands of the buildings.
Giants 400 | Nov 9, 2022
Top 50 Data Center Contractors + CM Firms for 2022
Holder, Turner, DPR, and HITT Contracting head the ranking of the nation's largest data center contractors and construction management (CM) firms for 2022, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Nov 9, 2022
Top 60 Data Center Engineering + EA Firms for 2022
Jacobs, Burns & McDonnell, WSP, and Alfa Tech top the ranking of the nation's largest data center engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2022, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Nov 9, 2022
Top 30 Data Center Architecture + AE Firms for 2022
HDR, Corgan, Sheehan Nagle Hartray Architects, and Gensler top the ranking of the nation's largest data center architecture and architecture/engineering (AE) firms for 2022, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Data Centers | Oct 31, 2022
Data center construction facing record-breaking inflation, delays
Data center construction projects face record-breaking inflation amid delays to materials deliveries and competition for skilled labor, according to research from global professional services company Turner & Townsend.
Data Centers | Oct 25, 2022
Virginia county moves to restrict the growth of new server farms
Loudoun County, Va., home to the largest data center cluster in the world known as Data Center Alley, recently took steps to prohibit the growth of new server farms in certain parts of the county.
