What’s “new in the EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres (Energy Efficiency) 15th (2024) Edition ?
The 15th Edition of the EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres (Energy Efficiency) has now been published here
2023 was an interesting year for EU Data Centre operators and all those in the supply chain, the Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act (TCDA) was published in March 23, alongside the 14th Edition of the EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres (Energy Efficiency), the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) was published in Q4 2023 and we have commented in other posts regarding these regulations.
The reporting form (due to be published later this week) also contains a new tab, 'Data Centre KPIs' this contains all the ISO/IEC 30134 & EN 50600 series metrics.
The EUCOC Best Practices committee met in November to conduct our annual review and the 2024 15th Edition has had some minor changes, and as usual, we list the changes below:
Note: Any editorial changes will be listed with the original in normal typeface and the amendment in Italics
3.2.4 Life Cycle Assessment
Original Text -
Introduce a plan for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in accordance with EU guidelines and internationally standardised methodologies. Examples of which would be ISO 14040 and ISO 14044.
EN 15978 'Sustainability of construction works - assessment of environmental performance of buildings - calculation method' is also a standard that is considered relevant to this Practice.
Note: This Practice aims to reduce overall carbon footprint and improve sustainability rather than directly improve energy efficiency. A list of recommended environmental sustainability practices is available in the CEN/CENELEC document CLC/TR 50600-99-2.
2024 Edit -
Introduce a plan for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in accordance with EU guidelines and internationally standardised methodologies. Examples of which would be ISO 14040 and ISO 14044.
EN 15978 'Sustainability of construction works - assessment of environmental performance of buildings - calculation method' is also a standard that is considered relevant to this Practice.
Note: This Practice aims to reduce overall carbon footprint and improve sustainability rather than directly improve energy efficiency. A list of recommended environmental sustainability practices is available in the CEN/CENELEC document CLC/TS 50600-5-1:2023 [C3IT added current version]
3.2.8 Sustainable energy usage
Original Text -
Consider the proportion of energy used by the data centre that comes from renewable / sustainable sources.
Recording and reporting on the proportion of sustainable / renewable energy used against the overall energy consumption is expected to become an expected monitoring and reporting requirement in time.
Note: Standardised metrics in this area are available as EN 50600-4-3 or ISO/IEC 30134-3.
EN 50600-4-3 “Information technology — Data centre facilities and infrastructures — Part 4-3: Renewable Energy Factor” specifies the “Renewable Energy Factor, REF” as the ratio of the renewable energy (in kWh) to the total energy consumption (in kWh).
Note: REF covers all renewable energy purchased from the utility (with guarantee of origin) and produced on-site. However, renewable energy produced on-site, that is not consumed on-site and partly or in total sold to the grid, shall be excluded from REF.
Note: CLC/TR 50600-99-1 and CLC/TR 50600-99-2 address Best Practices for Data Centre Energy Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability respectively. Both are a part of the European EN 50600 Standard series.
Note: The EN 50600 series has now been adopted by ISO/IEC as ISO/IEC TS 22237.
Note: ETSI EN 305 200-3-1 KPIREN KPI excludes both energy from grid and energy not consumed on site, in conformance with net zero initiatives.
2024 Edit -
Consider the proportion of energy used by the data centre that comes from renewable / sustainable sources.
Recording and reporting on the proportion of sustainable / renewable energy used against the overall energy consumption is expected to become an expected monitoring and reporting requirement in time.
Note: Standardised metrics in this area are available as EN 50600-4-3 or ISO/IEC 30134-3.
EN 50600-4-3 “Information technology — Data centre facilities and infrastructures — Part 4-3: Renewable Energy Factor” specifies the “Renewable Energy Factor, REF” as the ratio of the renewable energy (in kWh) to the total energy consumption (in kWh).
Note: REF covers all renewable energy purchased from the utility (with guarantee of origin) and produced on-site. However, renewable energy produced on-site, that is not consumed on-site and partly or in total sold to the grid, shall be excluded from REF.
Note: CLC/TS 50600-5-1:2023 [C3IT added current version] addresses Best Practices for Data Centre Energy Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability. Both are a part of the European EN 50600 Standard series.
Note: The EN 50600 series has now been adopted by ISO/IEC as ISO/IEC 22237.
Note: ETSI EN 305 200-3-1 KPIREN KPI excludes both energy from grid and energy not consumed on site, in conformance with net zero initiatives.
3.2.13 Consider technical areas of data centres as industrial space
Original text -
The data centre technical areas and plant rooms should be considered as an industrial space, designed built and operated with the single primary objective of delivering high availability IT services reliably and efficiently.
Note: This objective aims to prevent the energy efficiency of the technical space being compromised by the need for human comfort other than to comply with local statutory requirement and law (Health and Safety etc.).
Note: Data Centres are primarily technical spaces, not office space, and should therefore only require the control make up air volumes and environmental conditions to pressurise the spaces in order avoid ingress of particles and contaminants rather than for seated human comfort. This only relates to those areas of the centre intended to hold operational IT equipment or supporting mechanical or electrical infrastructure. These areas should not contain desks or workstations.
Note: This is not intended to reduce or impose conditions on dedicated and purpose built office space within the data centre building.
2024 Edit -
The data centre technical areas and plant rooms should be considered as an industrial space, designed built and operated with the single primary objective of delivering high availability IT services reliably and efficiently.
Note: This objective aims to prevent the energy efficiency of the technical space being compromised by the need for human comfort other than to comply with local statutory requirement and law (Health and Safety etc.).
Note: Data Centres are primarily technical spaces, not office space, and should therefore only require the control make up air volumes and environmental conditions to pressurise the spaces in order avoid ingress of particles and contaminants rather than for seated human comfort. This only relates to those areas of the centre intended to hold operational IT equipment or supporting mechanical or electrical infrastructure. These areas should not contain desks or workstations.
Note: This is not intended to reduce or impose conditions on dedicated and purpose-built office space within the data centre building.
3.2.14 Site Documentation
Original text -
Ensure that high quality, accurate O&M manuals, As-Built records, commissioning records, schematics and single lines diagrams are available in order to enable all installed infrastructure and equipment to be maintained as originally designed and operated at optimum levels of efficiency.
Accurate documentation and records are essential to the correct operation and use of energy efficiency functions built-In by equipment manufacturers.
Updates should be made whenever any settings are changed or equipment is added, replaced or modified. Historical records should also be kept.
Effective commissioning and delivery of detailed and accurate documentation should be a key part of any project handover.
Note: EN 50600-3-1 can be referenced for more detail on this area.
2024 Edit -
Ensure that high quality, accurate O&M manuals, As-Built records, commissioning records, schematics and single lines diagrams are available to enable all installed infrastructure and equipment to be maintained as originally designed and operated at optimum levels of efficiency.
Accurate documentation and records are essential to the correct operation and use of energy efficiency functions built-In by equipment manufacturers.
Updates should be made whenever any settings are changed or equipment is added, replaced or modified. Historical records should also be kept.
Effective commissioning and delivery of detailed and accurate documentation should be a key part of any project handover.
Note: EN 50600-3-1 can be referenced for more detail on this area.
3.2.15 Training and Development
Original text -
Ensure the Data Centre Manager and any appointed Energy Manager has relevant and appropriate training to fulfil an energy efficiency role and have an in-depth appreciation of Best Practices (such as this Code of Conduct).
Ensure that both IT and Facilities personnel are aware of Data Centre energy efficiency Best Practises (such as this Code of Conduct) in order to support organisational strategies to reduce IT energy usage.
Remove silos and promote a minimum level of common understanding relating to data centre Operations and Management.
An overall training methodology should be defined and delivered to all relevant personnel in order to improve individual personal development and develop suitably qualified and experienced data centre personnel.
Note: Properly trained and qualified personnel are essential to efficient data centre operation.
2024 Edit -
Ensure the Data Centre Manager and any appointed Energy Manager has relevant and appropriate training to fulfil an energy efficiency role and have an in-depth appreciation of Best Practices (such as this Code of Conduct).
Ensure that both IT and Facilities personnel are aware of Data Centre energy efficiency Best Practises (such as this Code of Conduct) in order to support organisational strategies to reduce IT energy usage.
Remove silos and promote a minimum level of common understanding relating to data centre Operations and Management.
An overall training methodology should be defined and delivered to all relevant personnel to improve individual personal development and develop suitably qualified and experienced data centre personnel.
Note: Properly trained and qualified personnel are essential to efficient data centre operation.
3.2.16 Smart Grid * New Best Practice * Moved from Items under consideration 11.2
Original text -
Continue to evaluate the use of energy storage and usage to support Smart Grid. A Smart Grid is a solution that employs a broad range of information technology resources, allowing for a potential reduction in electricity waste and energy costs.
This Practice should aim to include ‘Behind the Meter’ Support.
2024 Edit -
Continue to evaluate the use of energy storage and usage to support Smart Grid. A Smart Grid is a solution that employs a broad range of information technology resources, allowing for a potential reduction in electricity waste and energy costs.
This Practice should aim to include ‘Behind the Meter’ Support.
Guidance and requirements which are currently being developed by the European Commission may impact this Practice. Smart Grids are referenced by the EED, which should be examined for Practices in this area.
EN 50600-5-1 already incorporates a Practice in this area which should be considered for adoption.
4.4.4 Select lower power storage devices
Original text -
When selecting storage hardware evaluate the energy efficiency in terms of the service delivered per Watt between options. This may be deployment specific and should include the achieved performance and storage volume per Watt as well as additional factors where appropriate, such as the achieved levels of data protection, performance availability and recovery capability required to meet the business service level requirements defined in the data management policy.
Evaluate both the in-use power draw and the peak power of the storage device(s) as configured, both impact per device cost and energy consumption through provisioning.
As a minimum comply with the EU Eco Design Directive and Lot 9 amendments to EU Commission regulation for servers and online storage systems.
Additionally consider referencing and using the current U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR specifications for Data Center Storage.
2024 Edit -
When selecting storage hardware evaluate the energy efficiency in terms of the service delivered per Watt between options. This may be deployment specific and should include the achieved performance and storage volume per Watt as well as additional factors where appropriate, such as the achieved levels of data protection, performance availability and recovery capability required to meet the business service level requirements defined in the data management policy.
Evaluate both the in-use power draw and the peak power of the storage device(s) as configured, both impact per device cost and energy consumption through provisioning.
As a minimum comply with the EU Eco Design Directive and Lot 9 amendments to EU Commission regulation for servers and online storage systems.
5.7.4 Energy reuse metrics and reporting
Original text -
The opportunity for the reuse of waste heat from data centres is referenced by the Energy Reuse Factor (ERF) and Energy Reuse Effectiveness (ERE) from The Green Grid) and should be used currently for reporting the use of waste heat, however as standardised metrics in this area continually develop. This is referenced by
ISO/IEC 30134-6 Information technology — Data centres — Key performance indicators — Part 6: Energy Reuse Factor (ERF)
2024 Edit -
The opportunity for the reuse of waste heat from data centres is referenced by
ISO/IEC 30134-6 Information technology — Data centres — Key performance indicators — Part 6: Energy Reuse Factor (ERF)
6.1.2 High efficiency UPS
Original text -
If static AC UPS systems are to be installed select energy efficient UPS systems that are compliant with the “elite requirements” of the 2021 version of the EU Code of Conduct on Energy Efficiency of AC Uninterruptible Power Systems. A UPS compliant to this Code of Conduct requirement should also be compliant to IEC 62040 series for UPS systems, which also provides environmental operating conditions.
A UPS conforming to this standard should be able to perform as rated when operating within the following minimum ambient ranges:
Temperature 0°C to +40°C.
Relative Humidity 20% to 80%
Note: Rotary and Direct Current UPS systems are not included in the 2021 version of the EU Code of Conduct on AC Uninterruptible Power Systems, but this does not in any way suggest that rotary or Direct Current UPS should not be used, rather that these technologies are not currently covered by an EU Code of Conduct providing shared evidence of meeting high efficiency requirements for these systems.
Also consider referencing and using the current U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR specifications for Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS).
2024 Edit
If static AC UPS systems are to be installed select energy efficient UPS systems that are compliant with the “elite requirements” of the 2021 version of the EU Code of Conduct on Energy Efficiency of AC Uninterruptible Power Systems. A UPS compliant to this Code of Conduct requirement should also be compliant to IEC 62040 series for UPS systems, which also provides environmental operating conditions.
A UPS conforming to this standard should be able to perform as rated when operating within the following minimum ambient ranges:
Temperature 0°C to +40°C.
Relative Humidity 20% to 80%
Note: Rotary and Direct Current UPS systems are not included in the 2021 version of the EU Code of Conduct on AC Uninterruptible Power Systems, but this does not in any way suggest that rotary or Direct Current UPS should not be used, rather that these technologies are not currently covered by an EU Code of Conduct providing shared evidence of meeting high efficiency requirements for these systems.
7.1.2 Low energy lighting
Original text -
Low energy lighting systems should be used in the data centre. LED lighting is an example.
2024 Edit -
Low energy lighting systems should be used in the data centre. LED lighting is a good example and a simple retrofit.
8.2.1 Locate the Data Centre where waste heat can be reused
Original text -
Locating the data centre where there are available uses for waste heat can save substantial energy. Heat recovery can be used to heat office space or industrial space, hydroponic farming and even swimming pools.
2024 Edit
Locating the data centre where there are available uses for waste heat can save substantial energy. Heat recovery can be used to heat residential or office space, industrial spaces, hydroponic farming, swimming pools, fish farms, grain and biomass drying etc.
8.3.3 Metering of water consumption
Original text -
The site should meter water consumption from all sources. The site should seek to use this data to manage and reduce overall water consumption.
Note: Water consumption cannot be directly compared with energy efficiency unless the energy intensity of the water source is understood. Comparing water consumption between buildings is therefore not useful.
Note: Guidelines on this may be taken from The Green Grid’s Water Usage Efficiency metric (WUE), which is currently under development as ISO/IEC 30134-9.
2024 Edit -
The site should meter water consumption from all sources. The site should seek to use this data to manage and reduce overall water consumption, particularly in areas where fresh water is a scarce resource.
Note: Water consumption cannot be directly compared with energy efficiency unless the energy intensity of the water source is understood. Comparing water consumption between buildings is therefore not useful.
Note: Reporting should be based on ISO/IEC 30134-9 (WUE)
Section 9 description changes
9.1
Original text -
Energy Use and Environmental Measurement
Most data centres currently have little or no energy use or environmental measurement capability; many do not even have a separate utility meter or bill. The ability to measure energy use and factors impacting energy use is a prerequisite to identifying and justifying improvements. It should also be noted that measurement and reporting of a parameter may also include alarms and exceptions if that parameter passes outside of the acceptable or expected operating range.
2024 Edit -
Energy Use and Environmental Performance Measurement
Most data centres currently have little or no energy use or environmental performance measurement capability; many do not even have a separate utility meter or bill. The ability to measure energy use and factors impacting energy use is a prerequisite to identifying and justifying improvements. It should also be noted that measurement and reporting of a parameter may also include alarms and exceptions if that parameter passes outside of the acceptable or expected operating range.
9.2
Original text -
Energy Use and Environmental Collection and Logging
Once data on energy use and environmental (temperature and humidity) conditions is available through the installation of measurement devices it needs to be collected, logged and stored for analysis.
2024 Edit
Energy Use and Environmental Data Collection and Performance Logging
Once data on energy use and environmental (temperature and humidity) conditions is available through the installation of measurement devices it needs to be collected, logged and stored for performance analysis.
9.3
Original text -
Energy Use and Environmental Reporting
Energy use and environmental (temperature and humidity) data needs to be reported to be of use in managing the energy efficiency of the facility.
2024 Edit -
Energy Use and Environmental Performance Reporting
Energy use and environmental (temperature and humidity) data needs to be regularly reported to be of use in managing the energy efficiency of the facility.
9.3.1 Written reporting
Original text -
Minimum reporting consists of periodic written reports on energy consumption and environmental ranges. All written reports and submissions should reference the Category being reported and ensure that the required method of data collection and calculation determined by the Standardised ISO KPIs from the ISO/IEC 30134 series (or EN 50600 equivalent), should be used in all reports, written or otherwise if reported. These Standardised KPIs include PUE, pPUE, REF, ITEESV, ITEUSV, ERF, CER, CUE, WUE.
Note: Determining the averaged DCiE or PUE over the reporting period is already mandated by the Code of Conduct reporting requirements. This report may be produced by an automated system.
Note: All DCiE and PUE calculations should be completed according to the guidelines set out by EN 50600-4-2 which is equivalent to ISO/IEC 30134-2.
EN 50600-4-2:2016 “Information technology — Data centre facilities and infrastructures — Part 4-2: Power Usage Effectiveness”.
Note: Different categories of PUE ranging from 0 to 3 representing increasing levels of reporting granularity.
2024 Edit -
Minimum reporting consists of periodic written reports on energy consumption and environmental ranges. All written reports and submissions should reference the Category being reported and ensure that the required method of data collection and calculation determined by the Standardised ISO KPIs from the ISO/IEC 30134 series (or EN 50600-4-X equivalent), should be used in all reports, written or otherwise if reported.
The Standardised KPIs include PUE, pPUE, REF, ITEESV, ITEUSV, ERF, CER, CUE, WUE.
Note: Determining the averaged DCiE or PUE over the reporting period is already mandated by the Code of Conduct reporting requirements. This report may be produced by an automated system.
Note: All DCiE and PUE calculations should be completed according to the guidelines set out by EN 50600-4-2 which is equivalent to ISO/IEC 30134-2.
EN 50600-4-2 “Information technology — Data centre facilities and infrastructures — Part 4-2: Power Usage Effectiveness”.
Note: Different categories of PUE ranging from 0 to 3 representing increasing levels of reporting granularity.
9.3.5 The title has change from Partial PUE Reporting to PUE and Partial PUE Reporting
Original text -
Report partial PUE according to EN 50600-4-2 or ISO/IEC 30134-2. If partial PUE is reported the Standardised KPI should be used.
2024 Edit -
Report Power Usage Effectiveness and partial PUE (PUE and pPUE) according to EN 50600-4-2 or ISO/IEC 30134-2. If partial PUE is reported the Standardised KPI should be used.
Consider advocating the use of trending rather than hard targets for PUE. This should be based on kW/h consumption and a consistent IT Load. Suggestions for come from EN 50600-5-1 (5.1.3.1)
9.3.6 CER Reporting * Renumber to 9.3.10*
9.3.7 REF Reporting *Renumber to 9.3.6*
9.3.8 ITEEsv Reporting * Renumber to 9.3.7*
9.3.9 ITEU sv Reporting * Renumber to 9.3.8
9.3.9 ERF Reporting * New Best Practice *
Report Energy Reuse Factor (ERF) according to EN 50600-4-6 or ISO/IEC 30134-6. If ERF is reported the Standardised KPI should be used.
9.3.11 CUE Reporting * New Best Practice*
Report Carbon Usage Effectiveness (CUE) according to ISO/IEC 30134-8. If CUE is reported the Standardised KPI should be used.
Consider advocating the use of trending rather than hard targets for CuE. This should be based on kW/h consumption and a consistent IT Load.
9.3.12 WUE Reporting * New Best Practice*
Report Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) according to ISO/IEC 30134-9. If WUE is reported the Standardised KPI should be used.
Consider advocating the use of trending rather than hard targets for WUE. This should be based on kW/h consumption and a consistent IT Load.
9.4.1 Server utilisation
Original text -
Logging and internal reporting of the processor utilisation of the overall or grouped by service / location IT server estate. Whilst effective metrics and reporting mechanisms are still under development a basic level of reporting can be highly informative and should consider energy efficiency.
2024 Edit -
Logging and internal reporting of the processor utilisation of the overall or grouped by service / location IT server estate. Whilst effective metrics and reporting mechanisms are still under development a basic level of reporting can be highly informative and should consider energy efficiency.
Note: Server Utilisation reporting should be performed according to EN 50600-4-4 or ISO/IEC 30134-4.
Section 11 Items under consideration
11.1 - Further development of software efficiency definitions
Original text -
There is much research and development needed in the area of defining, measuring, comparing and communicating software energy efficiency.
Suggested examples of this are:
Software could be made resilient to delays associated with bringing off-line resources on-line such as the delay of drive spin, which would not violate the service level requirements.
Software should not gratuitously poll or carry out other unnecessary background 'housekeeping' that prevents equipment from entering lower-power states, this includes monitoring functions.
This is a specialist area which is being examined in detailed by projects specialising in this field. A watching brief will be maintained and links established to any ongoing projects on the development of metrics and standards in this area, which the Code of Conduct can subsequently reference once published and use to underpin the expectations detailed in sections 4.2.4 and 4.2.5.
ISO/IEC JTC1 SC39 has a continuing focus on this area as does the Green Software Foundation.
2024 Edit -
There is much research and development needed in the area of defining, measuring, comparing and communicating software energy efficiency.
Suggested examples of this are:
Software could be made resilient to delays associated with bringing off-line resources on-line such as the delay of drive spin, which would not violate the service level requirements.
Software should not gratuitously poll or carry out other unnecessary background 'housekeeping' that prevents equipment from entering lower-power states, this includes monitoring functions.
This is a specialist area which is being examined in detailed by projects specialising in this field. A watching brief will be maintained and links established to any ongoing projects on the development of metrics and standards in this area, which the Code of Conduct can subsequently reference once published and use to underpin the expectations detailed in sections 4.2.4 and 4.2.5.
ISO/IEC JTC1 SC39 has a continuing focus on this area as does the Green Software Foundation.
German DE-UZ 215 ‘Blue Angel’ / ‘Blauer Engel’ – Eco Label for software is also a reference in this respect.
11.2 Smart Grid, 11.3 PUE Targets & 11.4 CER Targets have all been elevated to the EUCOC proper.
11.5 EU Eco Design Directive idle state power has been renumbered to 11.2
11.3 Use of Hydrogen or other alternative energy sources and storage *New Best Practice*
Consider use of Green Hydrogen or other energy sources as well as energy storage for baseload generation using fuel cells or other technologies to reduce GHG emissions.
This Practice does need additional work to refine both the intent and the ambition.
An example is to consider the use of HVO in standby generators and consider developing options involving less carbon output such as Hydrogen, as they become available.
Note that this is covered in part by Practice 3.2.11
11.4 Direct Liquid Cooling * New Best Practice*
Best Practices for direct liquid cooling solutions are to be suggested and incorporated as developed.
See 4.1.14