I have a relatively large data center (200kw connected load) in a relatively larger building (250k sf) so that the data center is not the major program space, but is a relatively large minority of the energy use. I cannot find any guidance online or in the LEED CIR's regarding how to treat a data center for LEED v3.
However, I found this in LEED v4 reference guide regarding data centers:
"The guidance in this section is geared toward dedicated data centers and is not applicable to server closets or other small computer rooms. Mixed-use data centers, in which the data center takes up only a portion of the building space, may use this information as the basis of an exceptional calculation method.
The power requirements and energy use of the IT equipment in a data center typically dwarf the energy use of the cooling system and must be considered for optimizing energy use. The energy consumption of a data center’s cooling system typically ranges from 15% to 25% of its total energy use, whereas in other commercial buildings, the HVAC
energy consumption approaches 50% of the total energy consumption.... and so on.
Anyways, what are the opinions here of how to treat a data center in LEED v3?
My opinion is I should be able to use LEED v4 guidelines to show an exceptional calculation for my LEED v3 project.
And if this is already covered somewhere else, please provide the link, thanks
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5924 thumbs up
April 8, 2014 - 2:47 pm
You can use this calculator for v3 projects - http://www.usgbc.org/resources/minimum-energy-performance-data-center-ca...
Jeremy Rapoza
EngineerTighe & Bond
8 thumbs up
April 8, 2014 - 3:26 pm
Marcus, thanks, that probably saved me a lot of internet searching time.
The SS seems clear on the issue of electrical and IT energy savings, but it never mentions HVAC savings based on system type. Step 6 implies that the only HVAC savings would be from just the reduced cooling load if you include the reduced electrical load in the model (all of that is easily understood and modeled). However, we also were interested what we could claim for HVAC system type savings, would you know if there is another guideline for that or what is considered a baseline system or equipment efficiency for cooling of a data center?
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5924 thumbs up
April 8, 2014 - 4:18 pm
As far as I know the baseline is still defined by 90.1. 90.1-2010 I think added some additional provisions regarding data centers so you could see if any of that was in an addendum you could apply.