ASHRAE, in collaboration with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has released an AI Data Centre Energy Performance Framework.
The Framework, which was released last month, is hosted on ASHRAE’s website, providing industry-wide access to practical, expert-driven guidance for next-generation data centre design and operation.
As demand for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing continues to grow, data centres are placing increasing demands on both facility systems and energy infrastructure.
According to Pew Research Centre, the United States currently has more than 3,000 operational data centres, with significant growth expected in the coming years. An additional 1,500 data centres are already in various stages of development.
The new Framework delivers practical, consensus-based guidance to help owners, operators and engineers optimize performance, control operating costs and sustain resilient, high uptime operations through effective thermal management.
The Framework delivers strategies for both new and existing facilities, addressing the full lifecycle of data centres, from planning and design, to commissioning, retrofit and ongoing operation.
It addresses key considerations including thermal management, integrated system performance, energy and water use, and facility reliability, with recommendations tailored to varying climates, load densities and operating conditions.
ASHRAE led the development of guidance related to HVAC systems, thermal management and overall facility performance, building on its established body of work.
The body of work includes resources developed through Technical Committee 9.9 (Mission Critical Facilities, Data Centres, Technology Spaces & Electronic Equipment) and Project Committees overseeing Standard 90.4 Energy Standard for Data Centres and Standard 127 Method of Testing for Rating Air Conditioning Units Serving Data Centre and Other Information Technology Equipment.
NEMA contributed expertise in electrical systems, equipment and safety, while PNNL is a federal authority in energy systems research, providing coordination of the working group.
2025-26 ASHRAE president Bill McQuade, said the Framework brings together the collective expertise of ASHRAE, PNNL and NEMA to deliver practical, integrated solutions.
“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,” he said.
PNNL director of Buildings and Industrial Programs Bing Liu, said rather than being frozen in time, the Framework is a dynamic online resource that can be updated, remain relevant and stay accessible to anyone involved in developing a data centre.
To further support industry collaboration and knowledge sharing, ASHRAE will host the 2027 Data Centre and AI Integration Conference on March 3-5, 2027 in Dallas, Texas.