NetApp First to Receive Energy Star for Data Centers

NetApp (NTAP) announced that its dynamic data center located at the NetApp technology center in Research Triangle Park (RTP) has become the first facility to earn the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Energy Star for Data Centers rating. The facility was announced in 2007 and completed in 2009.

EPA's Energy Star energy performance scale helps organizations assess how efficiently their data centers use energy relative to similar data centers nationwide. A data center that scores a 75 or higher on EPA's 1–100 scale is eligible for the Energy Star. The RTP data center achieved a near perfect mark by scoring a 99.

"NetApp is thrilled to accept EPA's Energy Star in recognition of our RTP data center," said Thom Bryant, vice president of Workplace Resources at NetApp. "It's a testament to NetApp's environmental stewardship and commitment to leveraging efficient and sustainable technologies."

More than 500 organizations have toured the RTP data center to learn best practices and design efforts that NetApp put into the facility. NetApp utilizes airside economizers as well as pressure-controlled rooms in order to regulate the volume of air, which avoids oversupplying air and wasting energy.  Additionally they have implemented cold aisle containment and distribute air overhead instead of through a raised floor.

The RTP facility design has reduced CO2 emissions for NetApp by approximately 95,000 tons per year, which is equivalent to removing 16,000 cars per year from the road. The EPA launched Energy Star for Data Centers last month at the 7x24 Exchange conference.