Data centers—the modern digital warehouses—use massive amounts of energy to both power and cool servers.  As hardware costs continue to fall and energy costs continue to rise, it seems only natural that data center operators are focusing their attention on becoming more energy efficient to reduce operating expenses.

The EPA recently expanded its Energy Star rating system to include a scale specifically for data centers. NetApp’s RTP center is the first to achieve the certification.  The North Carolina facility earned 99 out of a possible 100 points (only 75 are required for the Energy Star rating),  aided in part by a unique overhead distribution cooling system and cooling with outside air during two-thirds of the year.  These efficient approaches to cooling help the data center reduce energy costs substantially and cut carbon emissions by 95,000 tons per year. 

For more information on Energy Star validation for data centers, visit the EPA’s dedicated website: Energy Star Data Center Energy Efficiency Initiatives.