Responding to huge concerns about power consumption in the data center, the Department of Energy recently released a tool that lets IT managers identify where they can save on energy in their data centers.

The Data Center Energy Profiler Release 1.1.1 is in beta testing now. The DoE is looking for feedback on the tool, which it dubs DC Pro.

DC Pro can help companies identify savings and reduce environmental emissions. It take users about an hour to fill out, and when completed gives an overview of energy purchases, energy use and a list of suggested actions the user should take to reduce energy consumption.

To prepare for DC Pro, the DoE provides a checklist that contains:

- Electricity information, including the amount of energy you purchase or generate and the amount you pay for it monthly, quarterly or annually.

- Fuel information, including the amount of fuel you purchase or generate and again, the amount you pay for it.

- Steam information, including the same factors – the amount of steam you purchase or generate and the amount paid for it.

- Production information, which lets you estimate your average production. DC Pro helps the customer estimate the cost of energy and the potential savings.

- Energy use systems. This information defines the energy use systems in a customer’s facility.

- Energy use distributions, which include the percentage of total electricity, fuel and steam energy consume by each energy use system.

-- Energy savings. This checklist will help DC Pro make recommendations on the energy savings for each system in your facility.

After completing these checklists, a user can start DC Pro. DC Pro can be downloaded from this site.

Deni Connor is principal analyst for Storage Strategies NOW.