Why do we need SDEA Label?
Datacenters (DCs) are the physical infrastructure driving the digital economy, delivering IT services built on scalable commodity components. With the global digital transformation surge, coupled with the slower growth in conventional silicon-based digital platform capacity, there is an impending rise in not just the number and size of datacenters, but also their energy consumption and carbon footprint. In response to this, SDEA Label champions sustainability in the digital economy by ensuring energy efficiency in datacenters is measured, not guessed. It provides clear visibility of both energy efficiency and the comprehensive environmental impact of datacenter operations, ensuring that sustainability remains central to the digital realm.
What does SDEA Label signify?
SDEA Label quantifies a DC’s operational efficiency and environmental impact. While it considers traditional elements like Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), it also evaluates IT infrastructure utilization and heat recycling of the DC. The baseline label encapsulates a DC's efficiency journey from energy intake to heat recycling and captures DC and IT infrastructure as well as workload utilization and technology excellence. The premium variant measures a DC's carbon emissions, factoring in emissions from incoming energy sources. SDEA Label is offered in three grades (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) to differentiate the level of criteria met.
How can I get SDEA Label?
To earn either a baseline or premium label for a DC, the applicant must demonstrate compliance with the labeling criteria during an SDEA mandated certification process. It falls upon the applicant (or an expert mandated by the applicant) to gather the necessary information for this process. Applications are made via an online form. Once the application is received, SDEA provides a certification information package, which includes an online KPI Tool for calculating the DC’s efficiency level (see our KPI Factsheet). The applicant is required to engage an independent auditor that validates the measured KPIs and produces an evaluation report. The SDEA’s board members will then assess the report and award the suitable label based on the efficiency level.