ATLANTA (June 10, 2026) – ASHRAE, in collaboration with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), announced the release of a comprehensive AI Data Center Energy Performance Framework. The Framework is hosted on ASHRAE’s website, providing industry-wide access to practical, expert-driven guidance for next-generation data center design and operation.
As demand for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing continues to grow, data centers are placing increasing demands on both facility systems and energy infrastructure. According to Pew Research Center, the United States currently has more than 3,000 operational data centers, with significant growth expected in the coming years. An additional 1,500 data centers 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 centers, 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, including resources developed through Technical Committee 9.9 (Mission Critical Facilities, Data Centers, Technology Spaces & Electronic Equipment) and Project Committees overseeing Standard 90.4, Energy Standard for Data Centers and Standard 127, Method of Testing for Rating Air-Conditioning Units Serving Data Center (DC) 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.
“ASHRAE’s technical leadership in building systems and data center guidance is central to this effort at a pivotal moment for our industry,” said 2025-26 ASHRAE President Bill McQuade, P.E., CDP, Fellow ASHRAE, LEED AP. “As AI continues to drive rapid changes in load density, system design and operational expectations, this 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.”
“This guide brings together the most comprehensive industry expertise on data centers in a single resource,” said PNNL Director of Buildings and Industrial Programs Bing Liu, who launched this industry-lab partnership a year ago. “Rather than being frozen in time, it’s a dynamic online resource that can be updated, remain relevant and stay accessible to anyone involved in developing a data center.”
“Data centers require seamless integration between electrical and mechanical systems. Power distribution infrastructure must be coordinated with cooling and thermal management to maximize safety, reliability, and efficiency outcomes,” said NEMA President and CEO Debra Phillips. “By partnering on this Framework, NEMA, ASHRAE, and PNNL are giving data center developers a unified approach to system design, enabling them to deploy integrated solutions that optimize both power delivery and thermal efficiency while minimizing risk of equipment failure – and operational disruptions.”
To further support industry collaboration and knowledge sharing, ASHRAE will host the 2027 Data Center and AI Integration Conference, March 3-5, 2027 in Dallas, Texas. The conference will bring together global experts to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, infrastructure performance and system integration.
For additional guidance, including access to the ASHRAE TC 9.9 Datacom Encyclopedia, please visit the ASHRAE Data Center Resource Page at ashrae.org/datacenter.
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