ATLANTA, GA - According to ASHRAE, data centers in New York State use an estimated $593 million worth of energy each year. Implementation of energy-efficiency guidance and best-practices information will be presented at five upcoming workshops from ASHRAE held throughout New York State. This information could result in a savings of at least $25 million for New York data centers over the next five years. Specifically, a 75 percent reduction in data center energy use could be experienced for some data centers. “Estimates show that the total energy usage by data centers approaches 2 percent of the United States electricity usage, which is equivalent to about eight 1000-MW power plants,” said Roger Schmidt, chair of ASHRAE’s technical committee on mission critical facilities, technology spaces and electronic equipment. “The significant energy usage by datacom equipment has governmental agencies and utility companies very interested in how energy-efficiency opportunities can be implemented.”

ASHRAE received an $180,000 grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to host five workshops in New York focused on data center energy efficiency and best practices. Registration is free to attend the workshops.

The first workshop takes place March 25 in Albany at the Nanotechnology Center, University of Albany, State University of New York. Additional workshops are planned for May 28, Baruch College, New York City; July 29, Syracuse University; Sept. 9, New York Power Authority, Buffalo; and Nov. 6 at Baruch College, New York City.