NetApp RTP Data Center is First Ever Data Center to Earn EPA s Energy Star for Superior Energy Efficiency

NetApp RTP Data Center is First Ever Data Center to Earn EPA s Energy Star for Superior Energy Efficiency RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC.-July 14, 2010- NetApp (NASDAQ: NTAP) today announced that its dynamic data center located at the NetApp technology center in Research Triangle Park (RTP) has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys (EPAs) prestigious ENERGY STAR , the national symbol for protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency. The RTP data center, which opened in 2009, is the first data center to achieve this distinction from the EPA.

EPAs 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 EPAs 1-100 scale is eligible for the ENERGY STAR. The RTP data center achieved a near perfect mark by scoring a 99.

Improving the energy efficiency of our nations buildings is critical to protecting our environment, said Jean Lupinacci, chief of the ENERGY STAR Commercial and Industrial Branch. NetApp is leading the way by earning EPAs ENERGY STAR for its data center.

NetApp is thrilled to accept EPAs ENERGY STAR in recognition of our RTP data center, said Thom Bryant, vice president of Workplace Resources at NetApp. Its a testament to NetApps environmental stewardship and commitment to leveraging efficient and sustainable technologies.

The RTP data center is primarily used to further research initiatives and create and improve storage efficiency and shared infrastructure technologies for delivering cloud computing and IT on demand to help customers around the world accelerate their business. Due to its innovative design and construction, the RTP data center also serves as a blueprint for organizations that are looking to design their own data centers. In the short time that the RTP data center has been open, representatives from more than 500 organizations have toured the facility. The goal of these tours is to share NetApp best practices and design efforts with customers and noncustomers alike so that the same sustainable and efficient design approach can be applied around the world to help lower overall data center power consumption. In fact, the unique RTP data center 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.

To earn the ENERGY STAR, NetApp implemented the following features in the RTP data center:

74 F average supply air temperature: Using a higher temperature threshold on supply air (74 F instead of 55 to 60 F) allows NetApp to dramatically reduce cooling costs.

Airside economizer: The data center is cooled by using just outside air (free cooling) 67% of the time during the year.

Pressure-controlled room: Modulating fans, based on NetApps proprietary technology, supply pressure-controlled rooms and regulate the volume of air to avoid oversupplying air and wasting energy.

Cold aisle containment: The cold room separates the cold and hot air streams to protect supply air temperatures from being affected by hot air returning from the racks.

Overhead air distribution: Instead of pumping cold air up through the floors (raised floors), overhead air distribution takes advantage of cold/hot air buoyancy and eliminates ductwork, reducing the energy needed for fans.

ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products, new homes, and commercial and industrial buildings. Products and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved nearly $17 billion on their energy bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 30 million vehicles.

For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov/buildings.

To calculate greenhouse gas emissions, visit www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html.

Discuss this news in the NetApp Community, where you can exchange thoughts and ideas on a variety of topics with our community members. Collaborate with our company, engage in conversation with NetApp leaders and employees, and participate in our passion to go further, faster. Join now at communities.netapp.com.

About NetApp

NetApp creates innovative storage and data management solutions that accelerate business breakthroughs and deliver outstanding cost efficiency. Discover our passion for helping companies around the world go further, faster at www.netapp.com.

NetApp, the NetApp logo, and Go further, faster are trademarks or registered trademarks of NetApp, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other brands or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and should be treated as such.

LINK:	http://www.netapp.com/us/company/news/press-releases/news-rel-20100714...
	See more stories from netapp

Most recent headlines