The Green Data Center Alliance (GDCA) announced today the award of a $500,000 New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) contract that will help provide a guide for Data Centers to significantly lower energy consumption.

The funding will allow the Alliance to create a system of best practices for Data Center operators, rate selected Data Centers against standard metrics, provide options for participating Centers to improve efficiency, and verify data on energy users. Data Centers are one of the fastest growing sectors of energy users in New York State.

“To achieve significant and long-lasting energy conservation, the GDCA believes it is necessary to view the data center from five distinct disciplines: Engineering & Facilities, Information Technology, Finance, Governance, and Process,” said Derek Schwartz Executive Director & Founder of the GDCA. “Our membership strongly believes that decisions in each category can have a tremendous impact on overall energy consumption. The most effective strategy for increased data center productivity must consider encompass all areas.”

“Controlling energy in data centers is essential for reducing operating costs and helping New York achieve significant reductions in our energy usage,” said NYSERDA president and CEO Francis J. Murray, Jr. “By providing Data Center operators with a roadmap to increase energy efficiency, the Alliance’s work will help New York achieve the ambitious energy reduction goals that will protect New York’s environment and strengthen our energy security for the future.”

“This funding will bring the data center owner and NYSERDA together with the common goal of energy conservation,” says Daniel Skutelsky, Chief Framework Architect. “Today, the industry’s answer to efficiency is replacement of components. Our view is to take a holistic and systematic approach. By evaluating needs from multiple perspectives and identifying opportunities, starting with the ‘low hanging fruit’, we can help transform today’s best practices into cost effective standard practices.”

This program aligns with New York State’s goal of reducing statewide electricity consumption by 15% by year 2015 and aligns with NYSERDA’s mission of advancing innovative energy solutions in ways that improve New York’s economy and environment.

“We share NYSERDA’s vision; to “Serve as a catalyst – advancing energy innovation and technology, empowering people to choose clean and efficient energy as part of their everyday lives,” added Derek Schwartz. “Both NYSERDA & the GDCA view this program as a win for the State of New York and the Utilities and Data Center industries as a whole.”

Members are urged to visit the Green Data Center Alliance website for the call for Best Practices solicitation and to inquire about becoming a Pilot Data Center in the State of New York.