ISO/IEC 30134-3:2016/Amd 1:2018

Overview

ISO/IEC 30134-3:2016/Amd 1:2018 is an internationally recognized amendment to the ISO/IEC 30134-3 standard, focusing on key performance indicators (KPIs) for data centres. This amendment specifically addresses the Renewable Energy Factor (REF), which measures the proportion of renewable energy used by data centres. Developed by ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 39 (Sustainability for and by Information Technology), this standard plays a vital role in promoting sustainable energy use within data centre operations.

The REF helps organizations evaluate and improve the sustainability of their energy consumption, supporting efforts to reduce carbon footprints and increase reliance on renewable energy sources.

Key Topics

• Renewable Energy Factor (REF) Definition
  REF quantifies the annual share of renewable energy in the total energy consumption of a data centre. It provides a clear, standardized metric to assess progress toward greener energy usage.

• Energy Metering and Measurement
  The amendment specifies the types of energy to be metered at data centre interfaces:

  • Electricity
  • Gaseous fuels
  • Fluid fuels
  • Cooling fluids (water, when it is not evaporated).
    Air cooling and naturally sourced water are excluded as they require no energy consumption in provision.

• Energy Conversion Factors
  Fuel types such as diesel, gas, hydrogen, and bioethanol have specified conversion values (in kWh) to standardize energy accounting.

• Mixed-Use Building Considerations
  For data centres in mixed-use buildings, energy consumption must be accurately segregated or else the entire building's energy consumption is used, with measures recommended to implement metering for isolation.

• Annualized Calculation
  REF is calculated over a 12-month period to ensure consistent and reliable performance evaluation. The amendment clarifies that the frequency of measurements is flexible, but the resultant REF value must represent an annualized metric.

• Documentation and Certification
  The amendment introduces guidance on retiring renewable energy certificates related to locally generated renewable energy and trading with utilities, ensuring energy sources are accurately documented and tracked.

Applications

• Energy Management in Data Centres
  Data centre operators use REF to monitor and optimize their renewable energy usage, contributing to sustainability goals and operational efficiency.

• Sustainability Reporting
  REF metrics provide transparent, comparable data for sustainability reports, helping organizations demonstrate environmental responsibility to stakeholders.

• Regulatory Compliance and Benchmarking
  Companies align with international standards on renewable energy usage, supporting compliance with government regulations and industry best practices.

• Energy Procurement and Contracts
  REF supports decisions on green energy procurement, including on-site renewable generation and purchasing renewable energy certificates.

• Mixed-Use Development Planning
  Developers and facility managers can implement targeted metering solutions to separate data centre energy consumption within complex building environments.

Related Standards

• ISO/IEC 30134 Series
  A suite of standards dedicated to key performance indicators for data centres addressing various operational aspects.

• ISO 8601
  Referenced in this amendment for uniform representation of dates and times in data recording.

• ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 39
  The technical committee responsible for sustainability-related IT standards including energy performance and environmental impact in information technology.

This amendment to ISO/IEC 30134-3 ensures data centres have a robust framework for measuring and improving renewable energy use, facilitating sustainable IT infrastructures worldwide. By adopting the REF KPI, organizations can advance toward environmental targets and optimize the sustainability of their data centre operations.