SustainMatrix for Data Centres
Why does efficiency drop when IT load falls?
Track PUE (how much of the site’s power reaches the IT equipment), WUE (water used per unit of IT energy) and carbon. Compare like-for-like IT load and find the levers that matter.
Explore the platformThe challenge
Efficiency at every level of IT load.
Data centre efficiency changes with IT load, climate and cooling. One annual figure hides when and why efficiency drops, and water and carbon often sit in separate systems.
- Energy demand and PUE
- Cooling efficiency and WUE
- IT-load-normalised comparison
- Electricity-related carbon performance
- Operational sustainability indicators
- Reporting to customers and investors
Indicators that matter
How data centres performance is measured.
Three numbers that matter most, each with what it measures and what it is read against.
1.41
Power usage effectiveness: total site power divided by IT power. 1.0 would be perfect.
0.38L/kWh IT
Water usage effectiveness: litres of water used for each kWh the IT equipment uses.
412gCO₂e/kWh
Location-based uses the local grid average. Market-based uses the electricity you contract for.
- Read against
- Read against IT load and outdoor conditions, because PUE rises at low load.
- Read against
- Tracked alongside cooling mode and climate.
- Read against
- Combined with energy data to show electricity-related carbon performance.
Performance intelligence
Read PUE at the load you actually run.
One annual PUE hides when efficiency changes. Comparing periods with similar IT load and weather separates load effects from how the site is run.
ReadEach dot is one month. The curve shows how efficiency changes with IT load.
Efficiency depends on load.
Monthly PUE plotted against average IT load, with the expected curve for this site.
Consolidating halls in low-demand months becomes a measurable lever.
Compare months with similar weather. A cold month flatters PUE.
Relevant capabilities
The platform, applied to your operations.
The same governed engine across sectors, configured with the indicators and comparisons you need.
Energy management
Facility and IT energy, PUE and demand over time.
Water management
WUE and water use by period.
Adjusted performance
Comparison at equivalent IT load and conditions.
Carbon accounting
Electricity emissions on a grid-average and a contract basis, plus wider emissions.
Sustainability reporting
Indicators for customers and investors.
What changes
Outcomes your teams will notice.
Targeted efficiency work
Low-load and seasonal losses are visible.
Energy, water and carbon together
One view of the indicators customers ask about.
Fair site comparison
Facilities compared at equivalent load and climate.
Clear customer reporting
Consistent PUE, WUE and carbon figures.
Questions
Common questions from data centres teams.
Where does the PUE data come from?
From facility and IT energy data provided at the interval available, such as monthly or daily totals, with the source recorded.
How is renewable electricity treated?
Scope 2 is reported both location-based and market-based, with contractual instruments recorded for the market-based figure.
Can several facilities be compared?
Yes, on PUE, WUE and carbon at comparable IT load and climate, with the basis of each comparison stated.