EPA Launches Energy Star Ratings for Servers

May 18, 2009

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced its Energy Star for Servers program to make it easier for buyers to identify energy-efficient systems, reports CIO.com.

The EPA has been working with server makers for more than a year to decide which types of servers to cover and their criteria, according to CIO.com. The main criteria are the efficiency of a server’s power supply and the amount of power consumed at idle. Vendors also are required to publish power and performance data in a standard way for qualifying models and configurations, reports the magazine.

Andrew Fanara, who heads the Energy Star product programs, told CIO.com that the final program covers servers with up to four processor sockets and at least one hard drive, although blade servers may be added to the program in the next two months.

Fanara also told CIO.com that the program will be used mainly for industry-standard x86 servers, which account for the majority of shipments, though the specification doesn’t specify a specific processor architecture. He expects approximately 25 percent of servers shipped to qualify for the Energy Star logo.

The specification has been criticized for measuring idle consumption only, but the EPA has called it a useful first effort that gives customers a starting point to compare the efficiency of different systems. Fanara said in the article that the EPA is working on a “Tier 2″ specification that will measure the work done for a given amount of energy, which he hopes to publish by January 1, 2010.

The EPA is also developing an energy performance rating system for enterprise storage and data centers. With the rating system, data center operators will be able to assess the energy use of their facilities and compare how they are performing relative to their peers.

The EPA also recently set new standards for commercial refrigerators and freezers to gain Energy Star certification. The new standards will require the appliances to be 33 percent more energy efficient than standard models. Computer monitors, digital picture frames and other electronic displays also have to meet more stringent standards.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Stay competitive through sustainability.

Find out how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Survey Results: Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader