Mostly when we talk about LEED certified buildings we think about office buildings or government centers but here we scope out another first. The Advanced Data Center building in Sac-town already became the first data center to be pre-certified LEED Platinum. Surprised? You bet. Most people think that these data centers with all of the computers are huge energy hogs, and they’re right. That’s why the firm had to work extra hard to create efficient cooling systems. They designed a cooling system called an “air-side economizer” that reduces energy use through careful airflow, and water-flow design and to utilize outside air because the temperature and humidity reamin in the correct range for 75% of the year.
Besides being so cool with the air side efficiency, we like their H2O technology savings effort. They utilize recycled (grey) water from a local municipal water system and captured roof rainwater for landscaping, restrooms and cooling tower backup. They even went so far as to install low- and even better no-water fixtures in restrooms.
Someone was either thinking about LEED points, just doing the right thing or perhaps tax breaks but the fact that the ADC built the location on brownfield in the former McClellan Air Force Base shows some real foresight and green thinking. It didn't even scare them that the site contains polluted groundwater 350 feet below the building.
Perhaps the military should take a clue from companies such as ADC when considering how to use (or abuse) the land that they seem to be protecting.
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This is very interesting. How do you find information like this? I am trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle and one of the things that keeps bugging me is technology. Technology that I'd hate to have to live without. I don't see how we can get zero carbon footprints with our current manufacturing standards, but your article shows that working toward a more earthfriendly goal makes a difference.
Pretty cool Keith. I know Google has been pretty active in alternative energy investment. Part of their effort is driven by being a good corporate citizen and part is good business sense. They realize they have a huge expense in powering their data centers and fuel efficiency through LEED and alternative energies are good ways to keep their costs down long term.