Podcast | Data center energy efficiency: a regulatory shift

A European directive

A European directive now imposes greater transparency requirements on data centre operators. They will have to declare various key indicators, such as the energy efficiency ratio (PUE), energy consumption, power utilisation, temperature set points, waste heat recovery, water consumption, use of renewable energy and the annual volume of data processed. These obligations aim to improve the transparency and environmental responsibility of data centres.

Implementation of energy management systems (EMS)

Companies with more than 250 employees have already been required to carry out an energy audit every four years since 2012. The revised directive goes further, requiring an energy management system (EMS) for companies whose average annual consumption exceeds 23.6 GWh over the last three years. In addition, companies consuming more than 2.7 GWh per year will have to carry out an energy audit, unless they have already set up an EMS. Companies with an energy performance contract will be exempt from these obligations. New installations or renovations of data centres with a capacity of more than 1 MW must use waste heat, unless this is technically or economically impossible. Data centres of more than 500 kW will have to publish annual reports on their energy performance from May 2024. These measures are designed to promote the efficient use of energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The directive also requires Member States to achieve energy savings of 1.5% per year, with progressive increases. In France, transposition of the directive is scheduled for October 2025. The companies concerned are being encouraged to comply with the new standards before that date, in order to benefit from current aid for setting up energy management systems.

Strategic adjustments for data centres

These changes will require data centres and IT departments to make strategic adjustments. They will need to invest in heat recovery technologies and optimise energy use. Although this represents a financial challenge, these measures offer opportunities for innovation and can improve the competitiveness of European businesses. Making the most of waste heat can reduce energy costs and benefit from subsidies via Energy Efficiency Certificates (EECs).

Access to the delegated regulation for the first phase of the introduction of a common EU-wide rating system for data centres.

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