Energy-efficient data centers – TSE.STANDARD

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Achieve sustainable and energy-efficient operation of your data center with TÜV NORD

Energy efficiency and sustainability are becoming increasingly important for the data centre industry. This is underlined, among other things, by the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact, which aims to achieve climate neutrality for data centres by 2030 at the latest. The German government's current coalition agreement also provides for CO2 neutrality for new data centres in 2027 and passed and published the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) on 17 November 2023, which defines far-reaching requirements for energy-efficient data centre operations.

At EU level, there are further extensive initiatives by two different ministries (DG ENER & DG CONNECT) that focus on data centres as "energy-intensive objects" in order to take account of the EU Commission's Green Deal.

With the developed TSE methodology (Trusted Site Energy Efficiency), TÜV NORD provides market players (e.g. planners, installers, data centre operators and supervisory authorities) with an effective tool with which they can strive for, implement and verify the most sustainable and energy-efficient operation of their data centres. The basis for this is the introduction of a data centre-specific energy management system (EnMS) in accordance with ISO 50001:2018.

With regard to the new EU directives, TSE offers a modular system that can be used to fulfil the requirements of the EU taxonomy, the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the Data Centre Maturity Model (EN 50600-5). In addition, the introduction of a data centre-specific energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001 as required by the new Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG, §12) is also taken into account.

TÜV NORD CERT fulfils the requirements as an accredited certification body in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021, which means that TÜVIT and TÜV NORD CERT can jointly carry out the required audits and certifications in relation to the EU taxonomy, the EED and the Energy Efficiency Act (e.g. in accordance with ISO 50001).

Everything you need to know about evaluating data centres according to TSE: In your personal face-to-face or online workshop!

Target groups for data center certification according to TSI, EN 50600, or ISO/IEC 22237

Our certification services are aimed at companies and organisations that want to increase and confirm the energy efficiency and sustainability of their IT infrastructures.

Our target group

IT service providers and hosting providers
Colocation data centres
Companies with their own data centres (enterprise)
Financial institutions and banks
Healthcare organisations
Government authorities and public institutions
Telecommunications companies
Cloud service providers
Industrial companies with high data volumes

The benefits of sustainable and energy-efficient data center operations

Data centres are of central importance to industry and society, but they also require a lot of energy. While the energy consumption of EU-wide data centres was 76.8 TWh in 2018, studies forecast a 28% increase in demand to 98.5 TWh by 2030. This makes it clear that data centres must become more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly in the future.

As a data centre operator, you can continuously improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of your data centre with a TSE.STANDARD audit and certification. By using energy efficiently, you can reduce the energy costs in your data centre, save money and protect the environment at the same time. In addition, you also benefit from competitive advantages and use the TSE certificate to demonstrate to the outside world that you use resources responsibly and conscientiously.

Competitive advantages that benefit you

Determining the degree of maturity

Through an audit & certification according to TSE, you determine the current maturity level for energy efficiency & energy management in your data centre; possible optimisation potentials are identified.

Continuous improvement

With the help of our TSE methodology, you can continuously improve and increase the energy efficiency and sustainability of your data centre.

Effective external presentation

With the TSE certificate, you prove that the topics of energy efficiency and sustainability are appropriately applied and further developed in your company.

Advantages at a glance

Optimisation of energy efficiency:
You can use the TSE methodology to improve energy efficiency and energy use within your data centre.
Possibility of downstream ISO 50001 certification:
Extending the EnMS to the entire company enables simplified ISO 50001 certification.
Reduction of energy costs:
By introducing an efficient energy management system, you can reduce existing energy costs.
Standard compliance with EN 50600 Part 5:
Based on certification in accordance with TSE, it is also possible to achieve standard compliance with EN 50600 Part 5.
Act with foresight:
With a TSE certificate, you are optimally prepared for possible legal requirements in this area.
Competitive advantages thanks to TSE certification:
The objectively confirmed, sustainable use of resources sets you apart from your competitors.
Consistent improvement of data centre energy efficiency:
Our experts will support you in setting up structures for a continuous improvement process.
TÜV certification of the energy management system:
This certification may allow you to benefit from discounts based on the legal framework.

Additional services for your technical control center

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Workshops

Providing knowledge on the assessment & certification of energy efficiency & sustainability of data centres according to TSE.STANDARD.

Book a face-to-face or online workshop now

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Conformity assessment/GAP analysis

Determination of the maturity level of your energy management & identification of optimisation potential.

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Certification

Certification of the energy efficiency & sustainability of your data centre in accordance with TSE.STANDARD.

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Testing and certification basis: Our TSE.STANDARD

The TÜV NORD GROUP's own criteria catalogue TSE.STANDARD represents a maturity model for the energy efficiency and sustainability aspects of a data centre. Individual maturity levels (maturity levels 1-4) gradually improve the understanding and options for action for energy requirements within the data centre.

The aim is the gradual introduction and continuous optimisation of a data centre-specific energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001:2018.

To this end, the TSE.STANDARD offers data centre operators a systematic approach to identifying and implementing efficiency measures. It also includes extensive requirements and recommendations in the form of best practices from the data centre industry, such as the EU Code of Conduct. These best practices also form the basis for sustainability reporting in accordance with the new EU Taxonomy for data centres and can be assessed using TSE.STANDARD.

Furthermore, the TSE.STANDARD adapts the new EN 50600 Part 5 (Maturity Model) and maps its content, so that in future conformity with the standard can also be confirmed with a certificate.

Test areas of the TSE.STANDARD criteria catalog

1

MGM |

Management The MGM division takes into account the principles of an energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001.

2

ITK |

Information & Telecommunications Technology The ITC area reflects the requirements for energy-efficient procurement and utilisation of IT equipment.

3

INF |

Infrastructure The INF area maps the requirements for energy monitoring and the implementation of best practice examples.

Assessment level: Overview of the four different maturity levels

1

Maturity level 1 - Energy Efficiency

READYThe prerequisites for an EnMS are created (structures, responsibilities, descriptions & templates) and measures to improve the energy efficiency of the data centre are identified.

2

Maturity level 2 - Energy Efficiency

IMPLEMENTEDThe EnMS from maturity level 1 has been introduced and is active. The first optimisation measures are being implemented.

3

Maturity level 3 - Energy Efficiency

IMPROVEDAn improvement in energy efficiency has been proven.

4

Maturity level 4 - Energy Efficiency

EXCELLENCE Continuous improvement in energy efficiency has been demonstrated and cross-divisional measures are being implemented

Your path to TSE.STANDARD certification

1

Workshop (optional)

In preparation for the TSE.STANDARD examination & certification, we offer you the option of organising a workshop.

2

Document review

Our experts check the documents you create in accordance with the requirements of the TSE.STANDARD criteria catalogue.

3

On-site audit

In the course of an on-site audit, our experts examine the implementation of energy efficiency measures in your data centre.

4

Preparation of the test report

After carrying out the document review & on-site audit, our experts will provide you with a customised audit report containing the results.

5

Issue of certificate

If you successfully fulfil the required criteria, you will receive the desired TSE certificate from us. This is initially valid for one year.

FAQs about our services for energy-efficient and sustainable data center operation

The TSE.STANDARD consists of three thematically separate assessment areas:

MGM: Management
Basics of an energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001
ITC: Information and communication systems
Requirements for the procurement of energy-efficient IT devices and their energy-optimised use
INF: Infrastructure
Requirements for energy monitoring and the implementation of best practice examples

Each of these areas in turn contains requirements in the form of test criteria.

Level 1 | Ready
1. Validity: 1 year
2. Extension: Only with a Level 2 exam
Level 2 | Implemented
1. Validity: 1 year
2. Extension: Can be extended once for 1 year by a surveillance audit or a Level 3 audit
Level 3 | Improved
1. Validity: 1 year
2. Renewal: Can be renewed several times for 1 year through a surveillance audit or a Level 4 audit
Level 4 | Excellence
1. Validity: 1 year
2. Extension: Can be extended several times for 1 year by surveillance audit (alternating: on-site audit / document review)

The requirements from the Data Centre Maturity Model (EN 50600-5) are integrated into the TSE.STANDARD so that conformity with the standard can be awarded with an additional certificate.

The maturity level is assessed using defined criteria from the TSE.STANDARD model. Management, IT infrastructure and technical systems are analysed in terms of their energy consumption.

The German Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) requires new data centres in particular to comply with certain efficiency standards. The TSE.STANDARD provides structured guidance for this.

Systematic energy management helps to recognise potential savings, reduce energy consumption and sustainably improve processes - especially in energy-intensive infrastructures.

The INF area in TSE.STANDARD comprises energy monitoring measures, including systematically recording and analysing the energy consumption of all relevant components.