Honors
- $1-million rebate through New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)‘s Industrial & Process Efficiency Program (2013)
- $168,000 rebate through New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG)‘s Commercial & Industrial Rebate Program (2012)
- Primary Data Center (PDC) recognized as a High Performance Building by NYSERDA for numerous energy-saving features (2011)
- $189,000 grant from NYSERDA for energy efficiencies built into PDC’s design (2010)
- $300,000 rebate from NYSEG/RG&E for energy efficiencies in PDC’s construction (2009)
Sustainability
The University’s data centers run 24/7, so sustainability and energy efficiency are important factors in their design and management. The Primary Data Center is rated to perform 42% above code, saving 745,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, the equivalent of energy consumed by 10 single-family homes each year. These savings reduce the University’s energy costs by $101,000 annually.
- Cooling System
The Primary Data Center is equipped with a cooling system that is designed to take advantage of Rochester’s moderate climate. When the outside temperature drops below 47°F, water chillers are powered off and a heat exchanger keeps the data centers cool. - Building Management System
This system monitors and controls all data center facilities automatically, adjusting more than 2,000 control points to optimize systems efficiency and reduce operational costs. - Raised Floor
The raised floor optimizes airflow and heat dissipation, allowing the computing equipment to run more efficiently. - White Roof
The building’s light-colored roof is designed to reflect heat from the sun and keep the building cool. - Fire Suppression System
This system uses an environmentally friendly gaseous agent. - Lighting
Low-wattage, high-efficiency lighting reduces electrical costs and heat loads. - Generators
Dual-redundant, low-emissions generators supply power efficiently to the Primary and Research Data Centers if utility power is lost. - System/Server Virtualization
Virtualization enables consolidation of resources to reign in hardware acquisition and power consumption costs while ensuring scalability for future growth.