PNNL, partners release guide for data center development

As data centers increasingly dominate conversations around the country, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and two partners have published a one-stop shop to help guide development. 

The AI Data Center Energy Performance Framework, co-written alongside the National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, delves into every aspect of developing a “hyperscaler” data center, from siting and building to maintaining and powering them. 

“Policymakers, utilities and builders of data centers can find research-backed best practices in this guide for building data centers that keep energy costs low while safely maintaining operations,” said Kieren McCord, a PNNL systems engineer and lead author of the guide, in a statement. 

Part of the guide’s purpose is to help develop facilities that won’t overwhelm the power grid. It identifies independent micro-grids and rechargeable battery systems as a means to power data centers while not always needing to draw power from the grid.