Establishes minimum energy efficiency requirements specifically tailored for data centers, addressing their unique operational demands. This standard provides a framework for designing and operating data centers with an emphasis on energy efficiency, considering the distinct load requirements that differentiate them from other building types.
Prior to the development of ASHRAE 90.4, data centers were primarily governed by ASHRAE Standard 90.1, which addresses energy efficiency in commercial buildings. However, as data centers have unique energy consumption patterns and infrastructure needs, the limitations of applying ASHRAE 90.1 to these facilities became evident. Recognizing this gap, ASHRAE initiated the development of a dedicated standard for data centers. In 2016, the first iteration of ASHRAE 90.4 was published, providing targeted guidance for the energy-efficient design and operation of data centers. The standard has since undergone revisions to adapt to evolving technologies and industry practices, with notable updates released in 2019 and 2022.
While ASHRAE 90.1 serves as a comprehensive energy standard for various commercial buildings, it does not adequately address the specific needs of data centers. ASHRAE 90.4 was developed as a companion document to fill this gap by focusing on the unique characteristics of data centers, such as high-density computing equipment and continuous operation requirements. One of the key distinctions between the two standards is their compliance approaches: ASHRAE 90.1 often employs prescriptive measures, whereas ASHRAE 90.4 utilizes a performance-based methodology, offering flexibility to data center designers and operators in achieving energy efficiency goals.
ASHRAE 90.4 allows for consideration of renewable energy sources to meet efficiency requirements, however, this is carried out only through design and not needed to be verified through construction. The owners or operators are not required to implement all of the capabilities of the design and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) is not required to enforce.
ASHRAE 90.4 encompasses several critical areas to enhance energy efficiency in data centers:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centers present unique challenges due to their high-performance computing requirements and substantial energy demands. To comply with ASHRAE 90.4, AI data centers can implement several strategies:
To effectively apply ASHRAE 90.4, data center professionals should:
ASHRAE 90.4 also defines specific exclusions to ensure clarity in its application. The standard does not cover the following:
1. Information Technology Equipment (ITE) Power Consumption
While ASHRAE 90.4 provides guidelines for the efficiency of mechanical and electrical infrastructure, it does not regulate the power consumption of Information Technology Equipment (ITE) itself. This includes:
ITE power usage is driven by computational workloads and operational demands, which vary significantly based on application and hardware specifications. Instead of setting limits on ITE power consumption, ASHRAE 90.4 focuses on improving the efficiency of the supporting power and cooling infrastructure.
2. Telephone Exchanges and Central Offices
Telecommunication facilities such as telephone exchanges, central offices, and fiber optic network hubs are excluded from ASHRAE 90.4. These facilities have unique design and operational requirements, including:
Instead, telecom-specific energy efficiency standards, such as ATIS-0600015.2020 (by the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions), provide energy efficiency guidance tailored to these environments.
3. Small Server Rooms and Edge Computing Sites
The standard primarily applies to large-scale data centers and colocation facilities, but excludes:
For these smaller facilities, compliance with ASHRAE 90.1 (the broader commercial building standard) is typically required instead.
4. Industrial Process Control Facilities
Data centers serving industrial process control—such as those found in manufacturing plants and utility operations—are generally outside the scope of ASHRAE 90.4. These environments may have specialized cooling, power distribution, and uptime requirements that do not align with typical data center efficiency models.
ASHRAE Standard 90.4 plays a pivotal role in guiding the design and operation of energy-efficient data centers, addressing the specific demands of these facilities. For AI data centers, adhering to this standard involves adopting advanced technologies and practices that align with their intensive computational workloads. By focusing on both mechanical and electrical efficiencies, ASHRAE 90.4 provides a comprehensive framework that supports the sustainable growth of data centers in an increasingly digital world.
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