Data centers can now earn Energy Star labels

Energy Star for Data Centers signals EPA-certified efficiency, using Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) benchmarking from the Green Grid to rank the top 25 percent, with licensed professional verification to drive sustainability and lower energy costs.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that data centers can now earn an Energy Star label by demonstrating top-tier energy efficiency.

The federal agency said to earn the Energy Star label, data centers must be in the top 25 of their peers as measured utilizing the Power Usage Effectiveness metric. The Power Usage Effectiveness metric, or PUE, was developed by the Green Grid, a data center energy group, and debates over whether ENERGY STAR for servers goes far enough continue today.

In order to be awarded the label, which is seen on such appliances as refrigerators and washing machines and in ENERGY STAR homes nationwide, a licensed professional must independently verify the performance of the facility and sign and seal a document that is filed with the EPA, as the EPA and DOE strengthen ENERGY STAR program over time.

At a conference in Florida, Alexandra Sullivan, the technical development manager for the Energy Star program, said the main goal of the initiative is to provide a simple, easily communicated symbol to provide motivation for energy savings in data centers today.

The organization noted that improving the efficiency of data centers by 10 could result in the reduction of more than 6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in the U.S. That would be equivalent to the energy needed to power more than 350,000 homes, with top ENERGY STAR partners often recognized for leadership, and result in more than $450 million in savings per year.

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