The 2nd Stakeholders meeting on data centres (GEN – 1467.00)

8 March 2023

GEN – 1467.00. Eurovent attended the 2nd stakeholders meeting hosted by the European Commission DG ENER – Unit B2 ‘Energy Efficiency’, on the ‘Technical assistance EED provisions of reporting requirements on the energy performance and sustainability of data centres’.

Introduction

Eurovent attended the 2nd stakeholders meeting hosted by the EC DG ENER – Unit B2 ‘Energy Efficiency’, on the ‘Technical assistance EED provisions of reporting requirements on the energy performance and sustainability of data centres’. Data centres definition, ICT power demand, products in the scope, and proposed reporting obligations have been presented.

What has been presented during the meeting

The aim of the meeting was to discuss options for a reporting scheme for data centres within the framework of the EED (Energy Efficiency Directive).

In the introductory phase, the EC Consultant Jan Viegand and the EC Policy Officer Nikolaos Kontinakis stressed that the EC is willing to propose the introduction of this scheme including a labelling performance standard (indeed the Task B will be focused on the assessment of the options for labelling and minimum performances standards schemes for data centres).

Overview of the study

Definitions

The EC aims to define a data centre according to the regulation (EU) 2022/132, and the related classification will be based on the EN 50600; based on the indications received, additional definitions have been presented in order to understand what will be covered by the reporting scheme.

Data Centres definition

Additional definitions

Data Centres classification

What is the ICT power demand

Data Centres in the scope

The proposed scope of the reporting obligations considers an installed IT Power demand equal to or greater than 100kW. According to the Lithuanian expert the proposed threshold is 5 times higher than the needed one. The EC stressed that the threshold level is not part of the current negotiations and so not to be addressed by comments.

Scope of the reporting obligations

In the operation section of the reporting scheme, the proposal is that the operators of data centre/colocation providers (intermediary between colocation customers and competent authorities) will report the Electrical infrastructure redundancy level as well as the Cooling infrastructure redundancy level. It is not clear what belongs to the Electrical infrastructure redundancy level as well and the Cooling infrastructure redundancy level.

Public and non-public information

The reporting scheme is supposed to have a public and a non-public information part (public part should include the energy reused):

Responsibilities to fulfil the reporting obligations

Ways to ensure the consistency and quality of the reported data

Energy Consumption measurements and indicators

Total Energy consumption of a data centre is, according to the Commission, to be measured according to the EN 50600-4-2

Ancillary metrics

It is to be noted that, according to the proposal, a water usage indicator as well as renewable energy consumption and energy/heat reuse will be measured. Concerning self-used waste heat (e.g. for heating the offices or preheating the generators) this is not recognised within the current proposal.

Next Study tasks

Study Task B

It aims to identify possible ways to use the reported data and introduce a labelling or minimum performances standard for data centres across EU. It will start soon.

Evidence of existing policy instruments are already in place:

Study Task C

It aims to analyse and propose options for an EU-wide repository

Study Task D

It aims to define a guidance document for Member States to implement the provision and set-up the related schemes. Input of current available schemes are welcome.

Next steps

Written input for the next tasks (B, C, D) of the study are welcome by 24 March 2023. The related reports might be presented in May-June 2023.

Recommended actions

Interested members are invited to assess the study task A report and provide Eurovent with their feedback (also for the upcoming Tasks B, C, D).

Comments can also be sent directly to: nikolaos.kontinakis@ec.europa.eu and rrq@viegandmaagoe.dk