A new online resource offers technical direction for optimizing the energy performance of data centres employed for artificial intelligence (AI) computing. ASHRAE and the U.S. National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) have partnered to produce guidance on the design, commissioning, operation and retrofit of AI data centres, which addresses thermal management, system integration, energy and water use with recommendations geared to varying climates, load densities and operating circumstances.
“It translates complex technical challenges into clear, actionable strategies that help operators enhance performance, control costs and make more effective use of energy, while strengthening reliability at both the facility and grid level,” says Bill McQuade, ASHRAE’s 2025-26 president.
The online guidance document is organized into eight topic areas, ranging from the initial considerations of site selection for new projects to retrofit and modernization strategies for existing facilities. An additional section provides a full compendium of tools, standards and sources that planners, designers, operators and integrators might need along the way.
Drawing on membership expertise, ASHRAE steered the content on HVAC systems, thermal management and facility performance, while NEMA took the lead on electrical systems, equipment and safety. The U.S. federal agency for energy systems research, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) coordinated the effort. NEMA president and chief executive officer, Debra Phillips, describes it as a unified approach to give information-seekers a big-picture perspective on the interconnectedness of inputs, functions and outputs.
“Data centres require seamless integration between electrical and mechanical systems,” she observes. “Power distribution infrastructure must be coordinated with cooling and thermal management to maximize safety, reliability and efficiency outcomes.”
Nevertheless, the collaborative partners stress that the guidance is offered for voluntary uptake and does not replace or supersede applicable codes and standards. Ongoing updates are anticipated to reflect emerging best practices.
“It’s a dynamic online resource that can be updated, remain relevant and stay accessible to anyone involved in developing a data centre,” affirms Bing Liu, director of buildings and industrial programs with PNNL.
