Energy Star for data centers launching in June

Take it from: http://green.yahoo.com/blog/ecogeek/1289/energy-star-for-data-centers-launching-in-june.html;_ylt=Ahggb4WIEgEjPibpt0xe4zWAV8cX

Starting in June of this year, data center operators can apply for Energy Star status. The new rating system will score data centers based on PUE, or power unit efficiency, on a scale of 1 - 100.

The operators will use an online tool that allows them to enter information on energy use and operations to calculate their PUE. The PUE determines efficiency based on the total power used by the data center, divided by the amount that reaches the IT equipment, not the cooling systems or inefficient power supplies.

That information is then compared to peer performance and based on that a data center is given a score. A score of 50 is average, while a score of 75 or higher means that the center is in the top 25 percent for efficiency and eligible for the Energy Star label. The operator can then have the EPA audit their data center to confirm performance and award the label.

The rating system currently doesn't factor in whether a center uses free cooling or its level of redundancy, but the EPA analyzed over 100 data centers and found that the rating system still accurately scored performance without weighting those variables. Even so, the EPA will make changes to the system if the need arises.

via PC World