Data Centers Efficiency Improvements
Measure Overview
This proposal seeks to address data center/computer room code requirements in sections 100.1, 120.6(j)3 (mandatory), 140.9(a) (prescriptive), and 141.1(b)1 of T24 Part 6 by including the following sub-measures:
- Submeasure 1 – Definition Section 100.1: Add definitions for Liquid-cooled ITE, Computer Room Economizer, Wetbulb Computer Room Economizer, and Drybulb Computer Room Economizer
- Submeasure 2 – Fan Control Section 120.6(j)3: Reduce computer room design cooling load threshold to 30,000 Btu/hr for airflow control
- Submeasure 3 – New Construction Economizer Section 140.9(a)1: Enhance Economizer Requirement based on ITE load density, ITE part load condition, ITE cooling fluid, and type of economizer, modify economizer requirement to air-cooled ITE spaces, add new requirement to liquid-cooled ITE spaces, and modify outdoor air dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures in Exception 2
- Submeasure 4 – Computer Room Heat Recovery Section 140.9(a)5: Add new requirement to transfer recovered heat from the Computer Cooling system to space heating system and or service hot water system
- Submeasure 5 – Existing Building Economizers Section 141.1(b)1: Modify the requirement for additions and alterations so that they shall meet the New Construction requirements as stated in Section 140.9, modify Exception 2 to reduce the ITE load threshold to 20 Tons (~70 kW) for existing computer rooms, and delete Exception 3 for new computer rooms ITE load threshold
Share your input today
The Statewide Utility Codes and Standards Team is conducting a survey to inform nonresidential code change proposals for the 2028 California Building Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6).
Take the SurveyScope of Proposed Code Change
| Building Type(s) | Construction Type(s) | Type of Change | Updates to Compliance Software | Third Party Verification |
| Nonresidential | New construction, additions, alterations | Mandatory, prescriptive, performance | Update existing feature, add new feature | Update existing verification requirements |
Justification for Proposed Change
The state-of-the-art for data center design has advanced significantly since the 2022 requirements were developed in 2020 and will further evolve by 2029, when the 2028 standards take effect. One major change is the rapid growth of liquid-cooled servers, which are often cooled by 80-120oF supply water. It is also now common to cool air-cooled servers with 75-85oF supply air. This measure offers a tremendous opportunity to capture various advancements as described above via sub-measures that will improve the energy efficiency of data centers and computer rooms significantly.
It may also be noted that data center floor area is growing at an alarming rate year over year, and data centers are quite energy intensive.
Relevant Documents
Round One Utility-Sponsored Stakeholder Meeting Materials
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