Data Centers for Utilities (ENERGY STAR)

Overview

This page was prepared by the US Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR programme for utility efficiency-programme managers. It explains why data centres are attractive targets for efficiency programmes and which barriers programmes must address. The page also links the ENERGY STAR 5 and 16 ways resources and the LBNL Data Center Metering guide. The page aims to offer a general frame for designing programmes and points to two resources for that purpose.

The rationale rests on intense electricity use: per square foot, data centres can use up to 50 times the electricity of standard office space, based on Portfolio Manager data. A cited 2019 report states that an efficient data centre can use up to 80% less power than an inefficient one. Together these two figures form the core rationale for why efficiency programmes target data centres.

Among the barriers is risk aversion: a cited 2016 study put data centre downtime cost at $9,000 per minute, which drives risk-averse over-redundancy. The second is split incentives between IT decision-makers and energy-bill owners, which the page names as a key programme barrier. The page is a freely accessible ENERGY STAR resource, and only the record's summary and key facts were used here. Some of its figures rest on external reports it cites and are set in a US context.

Key points

1. Per square foot, data centres can use up to 50 times the electricity of standard office space (Portfolio Manager data).
2. A cited 2019 report states an efficient data centre can use up to 80% less power than an inefficient one.
3. A cited 2016 study put downtime cost at $9,000 per minute, driving risk-averse over-redundancy.
4. Split incentives between IT decision-makers and energy-bill owners are a key programme barrier.
5. The page links to the ENERGY STAR ways resources and the LBNL Data Center Metering guide.

Using it in design

• In the cost model, attach utility incentive data (rebates) to measures such as efficient UPS, containment and economizers.
• Use the 50x office intensity figure as context in early-stage load estimates.
• In redundancy decisions, note as a risk remark how downtime cost can encourage over-redundancy.

Who should read it

Utility programme managers and designers assessing data centre energy cost and incentive opportunities.

Related standards

• LBNL Data Center Metering and Resource Guide

Publication details

Authors

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Publisher

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (ENERGY STAR)

Year

2026

Document language

English

Source type

Government / public

Access

Free to read

Licence

U.S. public domain — U.S. Government work; free to reuse

Citation