ATLANTA — Two free workshops focused on thermal guidelines for data processing, datacom facility energy efficiency, high density data centers and contamination in datacom environments are available to those who work with data centers in New York.

Provided by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the workshops follow five sessions held last year by ASHRAE in collaboration with NYSERDA. More than 700 attendees took part.

Estimates are that implementation of the guidance and best practices information presented could result in a savings of at least $25 million for New York data centers over the next five years, with a 75 percent reduction in energy use experienced in some data centers.

“Because of the importance of reducing New York State’s energy use and the opportunities for savings that can be achieved through improved datacom center design and operation, NYSERDA and ASHRAE are funding these seminars,” said Roger Schmidt, an instructor at an earlier workshop. “The workshops expand from the 2008 series with 25 percent new material added.”

A workshop is planned for Sept. 29, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, University at Albany – SUNY. The workshop will be repeated Nov. 6, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Con Edison Auditorium in New York City. To register, visit www.ashrae.org/datacenter.

The workshops are led by instructors who are data center authorities and who are active in ASHRAE Technical Committee 9.9, Mission Critical Facilities, Technology Spaces and Electronic Equipment.

Attendees will receive four ASHRAE design manuals for free: Thermal Guidelines for Data Processing Environments, second edition; Best Practices for Datacom Facility Energy Efficiency, second edition; High-Density Data Centers – Case Studies and Best Practices; and Particulate and Gaseous Contamination in Datacom Environments.

Publication date: 08/31/2009