ANCIS is the Program Administrator and a Professional Training Organization (PTO) for the US Department of Energy's (DOE) Data Center Energy Practitioner (DCEP) training program. The main objective of this certificate program is to raise the standards of those involved in energy assessments of data centers. Below, you can find information on the program, how to attend a training, or for a complete list of recognized Data Center Energy Practitioners (DCEPs).
Program Description
Data centers are energy-intensive and opportunities exist to reduce energy use, but significant knowledge, training, and skills are required to perform accurate data center energy assessments. In order to accelerate energy savings, the data center industry and DOE partnered to develop the Data Center Energy Practitioner (DCEP) Program. The DCEP training program certifies energy practitioners qualified to evaluate the energy status and efficiency opportunities in data centers.
The entire DCEP course curriculum was updated in 2016 in collaboration with the industry to reinforce proven best practices as well as introduce new tools and techniques in key areas such as IT equipment, air management, cooling systems, and electrical systems.
DCEPs will:
- Be qualified to identify and evaluate energy efficiency opportunities in data centers;
- Demonstrate proficiency in the use of the Data Center Profiler (DC Pro) and select Assessment Tools
- Address energy opportunities in electrical systems, air management, HVAC, and IT equipment;
- Meet academic/work experience requirements (pre-qualifications);
- Receive training on conducting data center assessments;
- Be required to pass one or two exams.
Property management companies, engineering consulting firms, service companies, data center operators, state energy agencies, and utilities will benefit from the expertise provided by DCEPs.
There are currently two DCEP courses available: Generalist and HVAC Specialist. The one-day Generalist course provides a high-level view of different IT and support systems in data centers. The two-day HVAC Specialist course is an in-depth review of HVAC/mechanical systems in data centers. Participants with an IT and/or electrical background may find the HVAC Specialist course challenging. A one-day IT Specialist course is under development and will be offered late 2019.
On August 1, 2016, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) signed the Data Center Optimization Initiative (DCOI). The DCOI will require Federal agencies to develop and report on data center strategies to transition to more efficient infrastructure. The DCOI states that all tiered data centers shall have at least one certified DCEP assigned to manage data center performance and continued optimization. This will increase the demand for DCEPs and not just in the Federal sector. For the purposes of DCOI, you become a certified DCEP by getting a pass score on the DCEP Generalist exam.
