ASHRAE, working with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, announced a new AI Data Center Energy Performance Framework on June 10 that sets out guidance for next-generation data center design and operation. The online resource is hosted on ASHRAE’s website and is aimed at owners, operators and engineers managing rising AI and high-performance computing loads.
The framework covers both new and existing facilities across planning, design, commissioning, retrofit and ongoing operation. Its recommendations address thermal management, integrated system performance, energy and water use, and facility reliability, with guidance aligned to different climates, load densities and operating conditions.
ASHRAE developed the sections focused on HVAC systems, thermal management and broader facility performance. That work draws on Technical Committee 9.9 for mission critical facilities and data centers, as well as Standard 90.4 for data center energy use and Standard 127 for testing air-conditioning units serving data center and other information technology equipment. NEMA contributed electrical systems, equipment and safety expertise, while PNNL coordinated the working group and added energy systems research input.
The document is positioned as a practical reference for operators facing higher rack densities, tighter uptime requirements and growing pressure on facility systems and power infrastructure. The source text cites more than 3,000 operational data centers in the United States, with another 1,500 in development, underscoring the scale of expected demand growth tied to artificial intelligence.
ASHRAE is linking the framework to a broader data center program that includes the ASHRAE TC 9.9 Datacom Encyclopedia and other material on its data center resource page. The organization will also hold its 2027 Data Center and AI Integration Conference in Dallas, Texas, from March 3 to 5, 2027, focused on artificial intelligence, infrastructure performance and system integration.
“This guide brings together the most comprehensive industry expertise on data centers in a single resource,” said Bing Liu, director of Buildings and Industrial Programs at PNNL. She added that the framework is intended to remain a dynamic online resource that can be updated and kept accessible for organizations developing data centers.