Data center operator earns veritable green-tech gold star

Here's something to brag about: Corporate data center real-estate mogul Digital Realty Trusthas earned a gold-level certification for green design from the U.S. Green Building Council. The project in question is located in Chicago, and the data center is for an unidentified Fortune Global 500 company. But the company says it involved the retrofit of an older building which, in itself, is reason for anyone charged with working with an older facility to take notice.

The certification falls under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. The benchmark examines a building's performance in five different areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. There are four levels of certification: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Those earning a Platinum designation are eligible for a rebate of their certification fees.

Digital Realty initiated the certification process for this particular data center more than a year ago. It believes three additional facilities will earn either Silver or Gold certifications.