The system rates data center energy efficiency on a 0-100 scale and facilities in the top 25 percent receive the Energy Star label, much like the agency’s Energy Star program for other types of buildings and equipment. The EPA rates data center energy efficiency based on the Green Grid’s Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) ratio. According to a NetApp news release, its RTP facility scored 99 on EPA’s scale.
“Improving the energy efficiency of our nation's buildings is critical to protecting our environment,” Jean Lupinacci, chief of the Energy Star Commercial and Industrial Branch, said in a statement. “NetApp is leading the way by earning EPA's Energy Star for its data center.”
NetApp uses the RTP data center, opened in 2009, for research and development in the areas of storage efficiency, shared-infrastructure technology and cloud-based service delivery.
Here is a list of features the facility has that have earned it the Energy Star label:
- 74F average supply-air temperature: Using a higher temperature threshold on supply air (74F instead of typical 55F to 60F) allows NetApp to reduce cooling costs - Airside economizer: the data center is cooled by using only outside air 67 percent of the time during the year - Pressure-controlled room: modulating fans, based on NetApp's proprietary technology, supply pressure-controlled rooms and regulate the volume of air to avoid oversupplying air and wasting energy - Cold-aisle containment: the cold room separates the cold and hot air streams to protect supply air temperatures from being affected by hot air returning from the racks - Overhead air distribution: instead of pumping cold air up through the floors (raised floors), overhead air distribution takes advantage of cold/hot air buoyancy and eliminates ductwork, reducing the energy needed for fans
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