Better Buildings Data Center Partners (Challenge or Accelerator)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is working with public and private building owners to reduce energy use in data centers. There are over 34 data center partners committed to date through the Better Buildings Challenge and Data Center Accelerator programs. Participants in both the Challenge and Accelerator are required to establish an efficiency goal for their data centers, and to report and improve upon their performance through metrics such as Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE). An overview and frequently asked questions document is available for more information.

BETTER BUILDINGS CHALLENGE: Partners commit to reduce the energy intensity of their portfolio (including data centers) by at least 20% within 10 years and share their results.

BETTER BUILDINGS DATA CENTER ACCELERATOR: Partners commit to reducing the infrastructure energy use of at least one data center (IT load ≥ 100 kW) by at least 25% within 5 years and share their results. A Data Center Accelerator Toolkit is also available. 

BENEFITS:

DOE provides technical expertise, communications support, and dedicated account manager; creates networking opportunities to help Partners share best practices and innovative solutions; collaborates with Partners regularly and recognizes Partners’ progress and successes; highlights leadership.

The Center of Expertise (COE) provides implementation guidance to Federal Agencies on best practices and works to develop capacity within private industry to provide tools useful to both the Federal and private sectors.

BETTER BUILDINGS DATA CENTER ACCELERATOR TOOLKIT:

The Data Center Accelerator Toolkit collects guidance, factsheets, best practices, and other resources to help navigate these dynamics, based on the work of DOE's Better Buildings Data Center Accelerator. This toolkit addresses specific barriers and solutions for energy management in 5 primary data center types, including real-world examples for each.

If you are interested in participating, please send an email to datacenterpartners@ee.doe.gov

Links: 

DOE Better Buildings Challenge

Partnership Agreement (Challenge or Accelerator)

Presentations from the 2020 Better Buildings Summit (coming soon)