Unlocking BREEAM: Your Data Center’s Green Guide

Summary

This article provides a comprehensive guide to achieving BREEAM certification for data centers. It explores the key benefits, outlines the core principles and categories of the BREEAM assessment, and offers actionable strategies for success, both for new constructions and existing facilities. By following this guide, data center operators can enhance their sustainability performance, improve market positioning, and contribute to a greener future.

Discover how Focus360 Energy can help with BREEAM certification.

** Main Story**

Introduction: Going Green in the Digital World

Let’s face it, data centers are the unsung heroes of our connected lives. But, you know, all that power they guzzle and the impact on the environment? It’s a big deal. BREEAM certification can be a game-changer, offering a roadmap to cut down on environmental impact, boost how well things run, and even give you an edge in the market. Think of it as a blueprint for building a better, greener data center. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to get BREEAM certified.

Understanding BREEAM for Data Centers: What’s the Big Deal?

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is like the gold standard for green buildings worldwide, and that includes data centers. It takes a birds-eye view, checking out how you’re doing in nine crucial areas: Energy, Management, Health and Wellbeing, Transport, Water, Materials, Waste, Land Use, and Pollution. Each of these carries a different weight, with energy making up a whopping 19% – makes sense, right, given how much power these centers use? It even looks at things like PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) and WUE (Water Usage Effectiveness) to get a complete sustainability picture.

Why Bother with BREEAM?

Getting BREEAM certified isn’t just a feel-good exercise, it unlocks a ton of advantages for data centers.

• Cut Costs: When you’re smarter about energy and water, you’re automatically going to see those utility bills shrink. I remember reading a study where certified facilities saved like, 20-30% on power compared to the regular ones. Plus, well-managed facilities also save on maintenance and downtime.
• Get a Competitive Edge: People care about sustainability, and a BREEAM certification shouts that you do too. It draws in clients and investors who care about the environment. It’s a great way to get an edge.
• Stay Legal: Environmental rules are getting stricter, fast. BREEAM helps you comply with regulations like the EU’s Green Deal and CSRD, which can save you headaches later. No one wants fines!
• Happy Employees, Happy Life: BREEAM makes sure the indoor environment is top-notch, which means healthy, happy employees. And a happy team is a productive team, so that makes all the difference.

Making BREEAM Work for You

1. Planning and Pre-Assessment: Know Where You Stand

First things first, bring in a BREEAM assessor. They’ll peek under the hood, assess what you’re already doing, and show you areas that could be better. Think of it as a health check for your data center. This helps you set goals and make a plan that’s tailored to you. The plan is going to change a lot depending on your existing set up, and what you’re trying to acheive. If you’re building something new or upgrading an existing space.

2. Sustainable Actions: Let’s Get To Work!

• Energy Savings: Switch to super-efficient cooling, servers, and lights. Use virtualization to get the most out of your servers and cut waste. And maybe even think about solar or wind power. It’s worth the consideration, isn’t it?
• Water Wisdom: Go for low-flow fixtures and maybe even collect rainwater for things like flushing toilets. Also, put in systems that detect leaks.
• Eco-Friendly Materials: Use building materials that are recycled and sourced close by. Implement strong waste management strategies, emphasizing the classic reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Healthy Indoors: Maximize natural light, upgrade your ventilation, and keep an eye on air quality. You’ll be surprised how much difference it can make.

3. Assessment and Certification: The Final Step

Once you’ve made improvements, get an independent BREEAM assessor to evaluate your data center. Pass that, and you get a BREEAM rating, ranging from Pass to Outstanding. It’s basically a badge of honor, showing how committed you are to sustainability.

New vs. Old: One Size Doesn’t Fit All

BREEAM understands that new buildings and existing facilities are different animals. That’s why there are different assessment methods.

• New Builds: BREEAM New Construction looks at design and building aspects that influence how it will run day-to-day.
• Existing Facilities: BREEAM In-Use focuses on real-world operating data. It’s a roadmap for continuous improvement.
• Refurbishment Projects: BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit-out zooms in on sustainability during renovations and upgrades.

Conclusion: Building a Better Tomorrow

By embracing BREEAM, you’re not just going green; you’re also boosting your business. It’s a win-win for the planet and the bottom line, which is why, more businesses should be doing it! So, why not start your BREEAM journey today? You might be surprised at what you can achieve.