[Equest-users] Data Center Modeling

[Stormy L. Shanks]

Omer, 

I believe that the cooling is considered regulated energy usage, not process energy.  I'm not certain how the Appendix G baseline would be modeled, though. There may be CIRs that provide direction on this.  Addendum bu to 90.1-2007 that Umesh linked below takes away the economizer exception for data centers that's been used as a "loophole" in the past to model the baseline system with no economizer. But, you may be able to disregard that because you are not forced to use addenda for LEED models, right? There may be a CIR that addresses economizer, too. Have you reviewed the CIRs for information related to data centers and the baseline model?

Stormy Shanks, PE
www.kjww.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Ömer Moltay [mailto:omoltay at mimtarch.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2012 2:57 PM
To: Stormy L. Shanks
Cc: equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
Subject: Re: [Equest-users] Data Center Modeling

Dear Stormy,

Thanks for the info. Is it the case that only the IT equipment power is considered process energy? About 40% of the energy in a typical data center is cooling energy. If the cooling energy is also considered process energy, than you are absolutely right. However, if this is regulated energy and the baseline model is built from Appendix G requirements for cooling equipment, than I believe that there will be some potential for energy savings. What do you think?

Omer.

14.08.2012 22:50 tarihinde, Stormy L. Shanks yazdı:
> Omer,
>
> Be careful with how you handle process energy in the LEED energy modeling for a data center. LEED requires that the process energy be modeled realistically and it has to be the same in the baseline and proposed models, unless you are making a case that you're doing something extraordinary to reduce process load. The server energy is typically a very large percentage of the total building energy usage in a data center, and it's considered process energy. So, it is difficult to save enough energy with envelope, HVAC, and lighting strategies to overcome that process energy to meet the minimum energy performance prerequisite. I think there may be some LEED CIRs related to data centers and process energy, so you might read up on those.
>
> In my experience, the LEED reviewers will not allow you to model the process energy in a data center as just 25% because that's much lower than what is realistic. I know there are a number of LEED certified data centers (I've been involved in a couple of them myself), so it's possible to get certification, but I would manage expectations carefully with your client.
>
> Maybe others have had different experiences. It seems like we've been waiting a long time for the "LEED for Data Centers" standard. I think there was a draft of it created before v2009 came out.
>
>
> Stormy Shanks, PE
> www.kjww.com
>   
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org [mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Umesh Atre
> Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2012 11:08 AM
> To: omoltay at mimtarch.com; equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
> Subject: Re: [Equest-users] Data Center Modeling
>
> Omer,
>
> ASHRAE Addendum bu might be a good starting point.
> http://www.ashrae.org/standards-research--technology/standards-addenda/Addenda-to-Standard-90-1-2007-IP-SI-Versions
>
> Regarding LEED for data centers, have heard that LEED 2012 will have some compliance categories/paths.
>
> While working on a recent data center project (non-LEED), I had come across this website that you could browse through for ideas on strategies:
> http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/leed-platinum-data-centers/
>
>
> Best of luck,
> Umesh
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org [mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Ömer Moltay
> Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2012 11:33 AM
> To: equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
> Subject: [Equest-users] Data Center Modeling
>
> Dear All,
>
> I need to learn about data center modeling for LEED v2009 certification.
> In particular, I will have to inform the client about how to build a baseline model and what strategies can earn us points. Is there any guideline or note regarding data center modeling for LEED v2009 to which you can direct me to?
>
> Best regards,
>
> Ömer Moltay, LEED AP BD+C, ASHRAE BEMP, ASHRAE CPMP, BREEAM Assessor Mimta EkoYapi Hekimsuyu Cad. 559. Sk. No:39
> 34255 Kucukkoy Istanbul
> Tel: 90-212-617-2296
> Fax: 90-212-617-2297
> www.eko-yapi.net
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