Energy efficiency of Aussie data centres stagnates

The average energy efficiency of new Australian data centres certified under the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) decreased slightly in FY18, according to the government body’s annual report.

While the average star rating of data centres certified during the year rounded to 4.1 — the same as during FY17 — this average declined by 0.3% over the same period.

Overall 12 data centres were certified during FY18 — six in NSW, three in Victoria, two in Western Australia and one in Queensland.

No data centre achieved lower than a three star rating, and the data centre in Queensland was the only building to receive a rating this low. Two buildings received 3.5 star ratings, three received a four star, five received a four and a half star and one received a five star rating.

In a move that has the potential to increase the energy efficiency of new builds, NABERS has meanwhile added data centres — as well as shopping centres and hotels — to the list of building categories covered by the NABERS Commitment Agreement program.

This program allows developers and building owners to advertise their commitment to design, build and commission the building to the standards required to achieve a designated NABERS rating level.

NABERS’ annual report shows that for the first time, more than 100 office buildings Australia-wide achieved a NABERS energy rating of 5.5 stars or higher. This represents a three-fold increase over the past five years.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/vectorfusionart

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