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
Data Centers | Sep 22, 2021
Wasted energy from data centers could power nearby buildings
A Canadian architecture firm comes up with a concept for a community that’s part of a direct-current microgrid.
Giants 400 | Aug 30, 2021
2021 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S.
The 2021 Giants 400 Report includes more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Giants 400 | Aug 26, 2021
2021 Data Center Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. data center facilities sector
Corgan, Holder Construction, Jacobs, and Whiting-Turner top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest data center facilities sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2021 Giants 400 Report.
Contractors | Jul 23, 2021
The aggressive growth of Salas O'Brien, with CEO Darin Anderson
Engineering firm Salas O'Brien has made multiple acquisitions over the past two years to achieve its Be Local Everywhere business model. In this exclusive interview for HorizonTV, BD+C's John Caulfield sits down with the firm's Chairman and CEO, Darin Anderson, to discuss its business model.
Data Centers | Mar 20, 2021
Japan’s NTT pushes U.S. data center expansion
Two new facilities opened last month, with several others under construction.
Data Centers | Mar 16, 2021
Greener data centers can also be more profitable
A new white paper explores revenue-enhancing ways for data centers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Data Centers | Feb 18, 2021
Arcari Cimini Architettura designs Data Center Floating Island
The concept looks to create an entire floating city centered around a data center.
Data Centers | Jan 21, 2021
The Weekly show, Jan 21, 2021: Data centers in a pandemic world, and LGBT certification for AEC firms
This week on The Weekly show, BD+C editors speak with AEC industry leaders about LGBT certification for architecture, engineering, and construction firms, and the current state of data centers in a pandemic world.
Giants 400 | Dec 16, 2020
Download a PDF of all 2020 Giants 400 Rankings
This 70-page PDF features AEC firm rankings across 51 building sectors, disciplines, and specialty services.
Data Centers | Dec 9, 2020
COVID-19 pandemic elevates data centers to key priority market for investors
But supply-chain and labor problems could slow deliveries, according to Turner & Townsend’s 2020 report that looks at 40 markets.
