DATA CENTRE EFFICIENCY & SUSTAINABILITY VERIFICATION
As data centres continue to grow worldwide both in numbers and in size to keep up with global data demands, it is important to consider energy efficiency, particularly in the context of carbon reduction targets. Our services help operators to understand and address new challenges, as they seek to ensure data centres are an integral part of the sustainable future.
SUPPORTING SELF-REGULATION THROUGH THE CNDCP
One of the biggest challenges facing energy-intensive data centres is how to maximise energy efficiency whilst meeting new reporting obligations from evolving non-financial reporting regulations. The EU Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act (Article 8.1) imposes reporting obligations for data centre operators, but neither the EU Code of Conduct for Energy Efficiency in Data Center (EU CoC) nor the corresponding CEN technical requirements provide any form of auditable framework for the verification of the implementation of such reporting requirements. Instead, a Self-Regulatory Initiative (SRI) from the CNDCP (Climate-Neutral Data Center Pact) is the first step to address the problem.
WHAT IS THE CNDCP?
Over 100 data centre operators and trade associations – responsible for more than 90% of the data centre capacity in Europe - are committed to the European Green Deal from CNDCP, with the goal of making data centres climate neutral by 2030.
The CNDCP sets clear metrics on energy efficiency, clean energy, water conservation, circular economy and circular energy systems, to support climate neutrality by 2030.
HOW DOES BUREAU VERITAS SUPPORT?
As global leaders in testing, inspection and certification services, with a long history of expertise in verification services across all aspects of sustainability, Bureau Veritas has developed a CNDCP auditable framework to support data centre efficiency and compliance. Our experts can help deliver multiple regulation compliance from a single certification by assessing your organisation against our framework. It considers the requirements of the CNDCP-SRI, as well as other regulations and guidance including the Commission Delegation Regulation (EU) 2021/2139, JRC Code of Conduct for Data Center Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency Directive (Fit for 55), based on CEN/CENELEC EN 50600 and the Corporate Sustainable Reporting Directive (CSRD).
To simplify the compliance process and make it easier for clients to implement change, Bureau Veritas has segregated the process into five key areas of compliance – the ‘REEAL’ compliance strategy:
- R - Reporting (monitoring and reporting against utilisation, sustainability)
- E - Energy management
- E - Environmental management
- A - Asset management
- L - Lifecycle assessment
WHY CHOOSE BUREAU VERITAS FOR DATA CENTRE EFFICIENCY & SUSTAINABILITY VERIFICATION
- Experienced team of sustainability experts
- Structured framework for multiple regulation compliance from a single certification
- Data centre sector experts
- Comprehensive understanding of evolving regulations
- Global network, local expertise
- Full range of sustainability services
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WHY IS ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPORTANT IN DATA CENTRES?
Data centres are large energy users and it is important that they take steps to monitor and minimise energy use to support national and international carbon reduction targets.
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HOW DOES THE CNDCP SUPPORT ENERGY EFFICIENCY?
The CNDCP supports energy efficiency in data centres, working towards carbon neutrality by 2030 through a series of measures including 100% carbon free energy, prioritisation of water consumption, promoting reuse and repair of servers, proving energy efficiency through measurable targets and looking for ways to recycle heat.
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HOW IS ENERGY EFFICIENCY MEASURED IN DATA CENTRES?
A commonly used metric that provides a basic guide to the energy efficiency of a data centre is PUE (power usage effectiveness). PUE was published in 2016 as a global standard under ISO/IEC 30134-2 It is the ratio of total energy used by a data centre facility (across IT load, cooling, lighting, security and electrical systems) to the energy delivered to computing equipment (IT load). An ideal PUE is close to 1.1. or below.