Using Equinox for Data Center GHG Attribution

Equinox Workflow, Equinox User Documentation
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The Data Center Methodology Workflow is an attribution and reporting methodology for GHG emissions of data centers. It primarily concerns emissions linked to the purchase of electricity from grids. The workflow shows how to implement the GHG Protocol for Data Centers (See References).

For Whom and When is this Workflow relevant?

Electricity consumption is potentially one the most important environmental implications of data center operation. Data center operators may want to proactively reduce those emissions by reducing electricity demand, or by shifting energy supply by procuring alternative lower-carbon or renewable resources. This workflow is relevant for any entity that wants to proactively assess a Data Center related Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions portfolio.

What are the required inputs for the Workflow?

  • Contractual information about electricity procurement and estimates of emissions from energy production information.
  • Energy attribute certificates from energy generation facilities that (where applicable) recognizing renewable energy purchases [Market Based Approach - TODO].

IM3 US Data Center Input Data

The IM3 dataset contains locations of existing data center facilities in the United States (U.S.) derived from OpenStreetMap (OSM), a crowd-sourced database. IM3 is a multi-institutional effort led by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science as part of research in MultiSector Dynamics, Earth and Environmental Systems Modeling Program.

Mapping to Equinox Models

Identification Data

  • id - unique identification number (OSM-provided with prefix of “node/”, “relation/” and similar attributes removed)
  • ref - reference numbers or codes (OSM-provided)
  • name - name of facility (OSM-provided)

Geographical Data

  • state - name of US state
  • state_abb - two letter US state abbreviation
  • state_id - state ID number
  • county - name of US county
  • county_id - county ID number
  • lat - latitude of data centroid point
  • lon - longitude of data centroid point
  • type – represented spatial information. One of “point”, “building”, or “campus”.

Facility and Operator Data

  • operator - the name of the company, corporation, or person in charge of the facility (OSM-provided)

Emission Source Data

The only data point in the IM3 that can be used to estimate GHG emissions is the surface area of the data center.

NB: This can only serve as baseline estimate, on the basis of pro-rating the total (country-wide) estimated emissions per measurement period (external data) and attributing proportionally to surface area. Additional data inputs using measured or modeled energy usage and/or emissions can refine these average estimates.

  • sqft - surface area of facility polygon, measured in square feet. Only available for “building” and “campus” layers

What are the produced outputs from the Workflow?

An aggregation report of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions that adheres to the GHG Protocol