NetApp first to earn Energy Star data center label

Storage giant NetApp is reporting that it is the first company to earn the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star label for Data Centers.

The designation specifically applies to the tech company's Research Triangle Park facility, which was opened last year. NetApp said the data center receive a 99 mark (out of 100 points) on the EPA's energy efficiency scale. Any facility that gets at least a 75 mark can apply for the Energy Star Data Center designation.

There are a number of measures that NetApp has taken to work toward high energy efficiency. They include the following:

• Keeping the facility's supply air temperature at 74 degrees (instead of much lower typical temps of 55 degrees or 60 degrees)
• Using free-air cooling, a practice that the facility can enjoy for about two-thirds of the year
• Applying cold aisle containment design
• Pumping the cold air in from overhead, which reduces the energy it needs for fan
• Controlling the pressure in its server rooms to ensure that it doesn't oversupply air-conditioning

NetApp is actually using the facility as a place to show off these ideas; so far more than 500 organizations have taken a peek at the site.