The University of Utah's Downtown Data Center's Path to LEED Gold

In an article published by Engineered Systems, SmithGroup mechanical engineer Rob Thompson outlines how the LEED Gold certified Downtown Data Center at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City is enabling other university programs to flourish. 

Below is an excerpt from the article:

"Unlike most buildings, data centers require cooling year-round. Located in a high desert near the Rocky Mountains, Salt Lake City is a predominantly heating environment with generally dry conditions. Together with hot aisle containment solutions, the mechanical systems in Salt Lake City and similar climates have tremendous potential for free or reduced energy outside air economizer operation. Given that the day-one program was entirely air-cooled, early selections of the systems centered around the use of central AHUs with a focus on the climate."

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