Digital Realty Trust, Inc. has announced that it has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s ENERGY STAR certification for its data center in Lithia Springs, GA. This certification indicates that the facility performs in the top 25% of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency and meets the strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA.
Through programs such as this, the EPA has illustrated its commitment to helping organizations in the United States assess how efficiently their buildings use energy. According to the EPA, ENERGY STAR certified data centers on average consume 35% less energy and contribute 35% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than similar but non-certified facilities across the nation.
"Improving the energy efficiency of our nation's buildings is critical to protecting our environment," said Jean Lupinacci, chief of the ENERGY STAR Commercial & Industrial Branch. "From the boiler room to the board room, organizations are leading the way by making their buildings more efficient and earning the EPA's ENERGY STAR certification."
Digital Realty's Lithia Springs data center currently employs several energy management best practices, including but not limited to: modulating electronically commutated (EC) fan motors on critical air conditioners; variable speed pumping; and blanking panels in hot/cold aisle rack arrangements. The company has also raised supply set points to help mitigate humidity control issues and improve cooling efficiency. Digital Realty and its customer, Cigna, which has a strategic plan designed to execute a best-in-class environmental sustainability program, have collaborated on initial energy management efforts such as seeking ENERGY STAR certification for the Lithia Springs data center, and they are actively evaluating additional opportunities to similarly partner.
"We understand the growing importance of sustainability in the data center industry," said A. William Stein, Digital Realty's chief executive officer. "This ENERGY STAR certification reflects our ongoing commitment to minimizing the environmental impact of data centers and educating our customers about energy efficiency opportunities. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for organizations to select more sustainable data center solutions."
Since 2014, Digital Realty has been a participant in the Better Buildings Challenge, a U.S. Department of Energy-led initiative that aims to improve the energy efficiency of both public and private buildings by 20% over a 10-year period. The ENERGY STAR certification in Lithia Springs further demonstrates the company's commitment to partnering with customers to deliver cost-effective, energy-saving solutions.