---
title: Green IT/ Green Hardware/ Sustainable Data Centers
excerpt: 
date: 2024-03-27T14:16:56Z
modified: 2025-07-23T11:21:26Z
file_type: md
permalink: clauses/green-it-green-hardware-sustainable-data-centers.html
wpid: 2143
status: publish
type: clause
jurisdiction:
  - Deutschland
maintenance-status:
  - Not maintained
practice-area:
  - Technology, telecoms and data
eleventyComputed:
  clause_child_name: "Andrea's Clause"
  clause_summary: This is a Green IT/ Hardware clause that requires companies to operate existing hardware in a more resource-efficient manner and to establish new concepts that make data centers more energy efficient.
  clause_last_updated_date: 2023-09-01
layout: layouts/clause.njk
---

# Green IT/ Green Hardware/ Sustainable Data Centers

## Child’s name

Andrea's Clause

## Summary

This is a Green IT/ Hardware clause that requires companies to operate existing hardware in a more resource-efficient manner and to establish new concepts that make data centers more energy efficient.

## What this clause does

Requires data center operators to develop and apply concepts for more sustainable data centers.

## Clause Content

1\. The Contractor undertakes to take measures to reduce the environmental impact of its IT operations and to design the data centers used in accordance with the Blue Angel eco-label for data centers ([DE-UZ 228](https://produktinfo.blauer-engel.de/uploads/criteriafile/en/DE-UZ%20228-202301-en-criteria-V1.pdf)) or to oblige subcontractors to do so. In doing so, it shall take particular account of the following principles:

1.1 **Energy efficiency of the hardware used**

The Contractor undertakes to maximize energy efficiency in its IT operations by using energy-efficient devices and systems. Servers and data storage products purchased after the effective date of this Agreement must therefore meet the award criteria of the Blue Angel eco-label for servers and data storage products (DE-UZ 213). The average CPU utilization of the servers used must reach at least \[20\] % on average over a period of 12 months.

1.2 **Energy-efficient operating conditions**

The Contractor undertakes to comply with the award criteria of the Blue Angel eco-label for data centers ([DE-UZ 228](https://produktinfo.blauer-engel.de/uploads/criteriafile/en/DE-UZ%20228-202301-en-criteria-V1.pdf)) with regard to the minimum requirements for power usage effectiveness (PUE) and cooling system energy efficiency (CER). When planning and developing data centers, energy-efficient cooling and power supply technologies (e.g. water cooling, heat exchangers, in-row cooling or evaporation) should be used and uninterrupted operation of the cooling system as well as an optimal design for minimum heat transfer should be ensured.

1.3 **Innovative concepts**

The Contractor shall – as far as economically reasonable – implement innovative concepts such as the use of waste heat from the data centers by feeding it into the energy grid or using it for local energy needs (e.g. heating offices or food production). If, as a result of such a concept, the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) according to DIN EN 50600-4-2 or the Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) according to DIN EN 50600-4-9 has decreased by at least 0.05 points or the Cooling Efficiency Ratio (CER) according to DIN EN 50600-4-7 or the Energy Reuse Factor (ERF) according to DIN EN 50600-4-6 has increased by at least 0.5 points, the Contractor may increase the price for the service by a maximum of \[percentage\] %, but must offset any profits or saved expenses, e.g. with regard to reduced energy requirements, against this price increase.

1.4 **Renewable Energy Sources**

The Contractor undertakes to source 100% of the energy requirements of its data centers from renewable energy sources.

1.5 **Cloud computing and consolidation**

The Contractor undertakes to modularize and consolidate its server infrastructure and to use virtual environments (cloud computing) to reduce the number of physical servers.

1.6 **Recycling and waste reduction**

The Contractor undertakes to minimize waste in its data centers by pursuing an environmentally friendly and resource-saving procurement policy, using reusable components and housings, and ensuring proper refurbishment (maintenance and reconditioning), recycling or, if necessary, proper disposal of equipment no longer in use.

1.7 **Monitoring and reporting**

The Contractor undertakes to monitor and regularly report on the energy consumption and carbon emissions of its data centers. For this purpose, the following key figures must be properly calculated using measured values collected within the data center and made available to the Customer upon request together with information on how the required data was collected:

1.7.1 Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) according to DIN EN 50600-4-2

1.7.2 Cooling Efficiency Ratio (CER) according to DIN EN 50600-4-7

1.7.3 Energy Reuse Factor (ERF) according to DIN EN 50600-4-6

1.7.4 Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) according to DIN EN 50600-4-9 (draft standard, if necessary).

2\. \[The Customer also undertakes to comply with the requirements set out in 1.1 and 1.6 if its own hardware is installed on the data center premises (co-location)\].

3\. \[The Parties agree on a consumption-based pricing model in which the billing for the service includes a price component that is dependent on the amount of electricity consumption caused by the client. The price per unit of energy may not be lower than the purchase price of the electricity used. The Customer shall neither be obliged to purchase a minimum quantity of electrical work nor be entitled to receive a lump-sum free quantity\].
