Retrofitting a Government Data Center for Compliance & Sustainability
Client Overview
Industry: Government Data Centers & Critical Infrastructure
Agency Size: 500,000 sq. ft. facility
Location: Washington, D.C.
Service Provided: Regulatory Compliance & Sustainable Infrastructure Retrofit
Challenge: Meeting state and federal regulations, improving sustainability, and staying within a fixed budget
The Challenge
A state-run government data center needed a facility-wide retrofit to align with:
Federal sustainability mandates (EO 14057, Energy Act 2020)
State-specific energy efficiency laws
Budget constraints that prohibited overspending
The aging infrastructure was inefficient, consuming excessive energy and struggling with cooling inefficiencies. The government agency required a cost-effective solution to upgrade its data center without exceeding budgetary limits while ensuring:
Regulatory compliance with energy and sustainability laws
Operational efficiency for mission-critical workloads
Long-term cost savings to justify the investment
Our Approach
To meet these challenges, our firm developed a phased approach that maximized compliance, efficiency, and cost control:
1. Regulatory Compliance Assessment & Strategy
Conducted a full audit of federal & state building regulations affecting the data center.
Created a compliance roadmap to align with EPA, GSA, and DOE guidelines.
Implemented real-time ESG reporting tools to ensure ongoing compliance.
2. Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Upgrades
Retrofitted cooling infrastructure with energy-efficient CRAC units & liquid cooling.
Integrated on-site solar power to offset grid energy use and reduce costs.
Designed a PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) improvement plan, targeting 1.3 efficiency.
3. Budget-optimized Infrastructure Modernization
Prioritized modular upgrades to avoid unnecessary costs and extend system lifespan.
Leveraged federal grants & state incentives to reduce upfront investment.
Phased implementation over 24 months to ensure spending compliance.
Results & Impact
The government data center retrofit achieved:
Full Compliance “ Successfully met federal (EO 14057) and state-level energy standards.
25% Energy Reduction “ Lowered power consumption, reducing taxpayer burden.
Cost Savings Without Budget Overruns “ Leveraged incentives & strategic phasing.
Sustainability Milestone Achieved “ Data center operations aligned with net-zero goals.
Zero Downtime “ Implemented all upgrades without disrupting mission-critical services.
Key Takeaways
Biggest Success: Achieved full compliance, sustainability, and energy savings within budget.
Applicable Industries: Federal & state data centers, military facilities, secure government infrastructure.
Next Steps for Potential Clients:
Need a compliance-driven, budget-conscious data center upgrade? Let’s talk. Contact us today.
