Together with TÜVIT to the sustainable & energy-efficient operation of your data center
Energy efficiency and sustainability are becoming increasingly important for the data center industry. This is also underlined by the Climate Neutral Data Center Pact, which pursues the goal of climate neutrality for data centers by 2030 at the latest. The current coalition agreement of the German government demands CO2 neutrality for new data centers starting from 2027.
With the developed TSE methodology (Trusted Site Energy Efficiency), TÜVIT provides market players (e.g. planners, installers, data center operators and supervisory authorities) with an effective tool that they can use to strive for, implement and prove the most sustainable and energy-efficient operation of their data centers possible. The basis for this is the introduction of a data center-specific energy management system (EMS) in accordance with ISO 50001:2018.
Through an audit and certification according to TSE, data center operators can determine the current maturity degree of their energy management and initiate continuous improvement. In this way, they effectively demonstrate to the outside world that the topics of energy efficiency and sustainability are being appropriately covered and continuously developed.




White Paper Download: The Jungle of Sustainability
The free white paper provides an overview of the current instruments and standards on the topic of “sustainability, resource and energy efficiency” with a view from the data center operations.
Download with restricted access
Our services for improving the energy efficiency of data centers




Workshop
Understanding of the assessment & certification of data center energy efficiency & sustainability according to the TSE.STANDARD.




Conformity Assessment / GAP Analysis
Determination of the maturity level of your energy management & identification of optimization potentials.




Certification
Certification of the energy efficiency & sustainability of your data center according to the TSE.STANDARD.
Your benefits at a glance
- Optimization of energy use and reduction of energy costs
- Optimal preparation for possible legal requirements in this area
- Competent support in setting up structures for a continuous improvement process
- TÜV certified use of an energy management system and, if applicable, use of benefits based on legal framework conditions
- Possible extension of the energy management system to the entire company and downstream, simplified ISO 50001 certification
- Possible attainment of standard conformity with EN 50600 Part 5
- Image gain through sustainable use of resources
- Joint marketing of project results if desired
The evaluation and certification basis: Our TSE.STANDARD




TÜVIT's own TSE.STANDARD criteria catalog maps a maturity model for the energy efficiency and sustainability aspects of a data center. Through individual maturity degrees (Maturity degree 1-4), the understanding and options for action for energy requirements within the data center are gradually improved.
The goal is the gradual introduction and continuous optimization of a data center-specific energy management system in accordance with the ISO 50001:2018.
To this end, the TSE.STANDARD offers data center operators a systematic approach to identifying and implementing energy efficiency measures. For this purpose, it includes comprehensive requirements and recommendations in the form of best practices of the data center industry, such as the EU Code of Conduct and TR 50600-99-1 and 2.
The evaluation areas of the TSE.STANDARD criteria catalog
The criteria catalog defines requirements for a total of 4 maturity levels. The requirements are each divided into 3 subject areas. These are in detail:




Assessment level: Overview of the 4 different maturity degrees




Maturity degree 1 – Energy Efficiency READY
The prerequisites for an EMS are created (structures, responsibilities, descriptions & templates) and measures to improve the energy efficiency of the data center are identified.




Maturity degree 2 – Energy Efficiency IMPLEMENTED
The EMS from maturity degree 1 has been introduced and is active. The first optimization measures are being implemented.




Maturity degree 3 – Energy Efficiency IMPROVED
An improvement in energy efficiency is proven.




Maturity degree 4 – Energy Efficiency EXCELLENCE
Continuous improvement in energy efficiency has been demonstrated and cross-divisional measures are being implemented.
Why assess & certify acc. to the TSE.STANDARD?
Data centers are of central importance for industry and society. At the same time, however, they require a lot of energy. Estimates of the energy demand of all data centers worldwide range from about 200 to 500 TWh. Globally, they account for about 2% of the total energy demand today. Consequently, society, business and politics have recognized: data centers must become more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly in the future.
With an evaluation and certification according to the TSE.STANDARD you, as a data center operator, continuously improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of your data center. By using energy efficiently, you reduce the energy costs in your data center, thereby saving money and protecting the environment at the same time. In addition, you also benefit from competitive advantages and demonstrate your responsible and conscientious use of resources to the outside world with the TSE certificate.
Frequently asked questions:
The TSE.STANDARD consists of the three thematically separated assessment areas:
- MGM: Management
Basics of an energy management system according to ISO 50001
- ICS: Information and communication systems
Requirements for the procurement of energy-efficient IT equipment and its energetically optimal use
- INF: Infrastructure
Requirements for energy monitoring and the implementation of best practice examples
Each of these areas contain requirements in the form of evaluation criteria.
Certificate level | Validity | Extension |
Level 1 Ready | 1 year | Only with a Level 2 assessment |
Level 2 Implemented | 1 year | Renewable once for 1 year by a surveillance audit or a Level 3 examination |
Level 3 Improved | 1 year | Repeatedly renewable for 1 year by a surveillance audit or a Level 4 audit |
Level 4 Excellence | 1 year | Repeatedly renewable for 1 year through a surveillance audit (alternating: on-site audit / document review) |
With the certification according to TSE.STANDARD you lay the foundation for an effective energy management system. This gives you the opportunity to extend this to the entire company and to obtain ISO 50001 conformity from TÜV NORD.
Currently, the EN 50600-5 part of the standard is still in draft form. However, the requirements of this standard have already been integrated into the TSE.STANDARD, so that conformity with the standard can be awarded with an additional certificate at a later date.
Your way to the certificate



