Energy Efficiency in Data Centers

Take a tour of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's energy-efficient data center in the Research Support Facility. Read the case study.

Video courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy

The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) encourages agencies and organizations to improve data center energy efficiency in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget's Smart Cloud Strategy and M-16-19 Memorandum.

Data centers offer a tremendous opportunity for energy and cost savings.

FEMP helps agencies construct and maintain energy-efficient data centers by providing resources through its Center of Expertise (CoE) for Energy Efficiency in Data Centers and encouraging participation in the Better Buildings Challenge and Data Center Accelerator.

Read FEMP's Data Center Energy Efficiency fact sheet.

CoE for Energy Efficiency in Data Centers

Website provides information and technical support for data center efficiency projects.

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CoE - Data Center Energy Efficiency Toolkit

This section of the CoE identifies energy efficiency opportunities in data centers using CoE's tools.

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CoE - Technologies

This section of the CoE offers tips for improving technology performance or purchasing new.

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Better Buildings Challenge

Become a partner by committing to improving building and industrial efficiency by 20% or more over 10 years.

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CoE - Small Data Centers

This section of the CoE features a decision tree and resources to assist with overcoming unique obstacles.

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CoE - Training

This section of the CoE features webinars and the Data Center Energy Practitioner schedule.

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Better Buildings Accelerator

Become a partner by committing to reducing the infrastructure energy intensity of one or more data centers by 25% over a five-year period.

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Case Studies

Browse case studies of successful federal projects.

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Key Resources

Sandia National Laboratories' Holistic Data Center Design Integrates Energy- and Water-Efficiency, Flexibility, and Resilience

Highlights Sandia National Laboratories and their holistic data center approach, which provides resilient energy- and water-efficient cooling for high-performance computing (HPC) systems.

Data Center Energy Efficiency

Fact sheet describes how the Federal Energy Management Program helps federal agencies implement data center energy efficiency projects.

Using Thermosyphon Hybrid Cooling System to Optimize Data Center Water Efficiency

Fact sheet describes deployment of an innovative thermosyphon cooler as a test bed on the roof of a National Renewable Energy Laboratory facility.

Data Center Profiler (DC Pro) Tools

Early-stage scoping tools diagnose how energy use is distributed in data centers and determine ways to save energy and money.

Data Center Air Management Estimator

Spreadsheet provides the potential for reducing the supply airflow rate and increasing the supply air temperature.

Data Center Master List of Energy Efficiency Actions

Comprehensive list of recommended efficiency actions for data centers.

Data Center Metering and Resource Guide

Guide helps data center operators implement a metering system that gathers data for efficiency improvements.

Best Practices Guide for Energy-Efficient Data Center Design

Guide provides an overview of best practices for energy-efficient data center design.

Energy Efficiency Opportunities in Federal High Performance Computing Data Centers

Report describes energy efficiency opportunities in federal high-performance computing data centers.

General Recommendations for a Federal Data Center Energy Management Dashboard Display

Guide explains benefits of dashboards to track energy use in federal data centers and discusses dashboard content useful for energy management.

Sandia's Liquid-Cooled Data Center Boosts Efficiency and Resiliency

Fact sheet describes Sandia National Laboratories' cooling system that provides reliable, resilient, and energy-efficient cooling for high-performance computing (HPC) systems.

High Performance Computing Data Center Metering Protocol

Guide details energy efficiency system strategies and measurements for U.S. Department of Energy high performance computing data center facilities.

NSIDC Data Center: Energy Reduction Strategies

Fact sheet describes how the National Snow and Ice Data Center reduced cooling energy use with airside economization and indirect evaporative cooling.

Retro-Commissioning Increases Data Center Efficiency at Low Cost

Fact sheet describes the U.S. Department of Energy Savannah River Site data center retro-commissioning project.

Center of Expertise Resources

Web page features data center documents, case studies, presentations, and more.

FEMP Case Studies

Database includes case studies highlighting successful federal agency implementation of energy- and water-efficient measures and technologies.