Data centres are the backbone of today’s digital world. Every email, cloud app, online payment, and streaming service runs through them. But here’s the real question; how do we know if a data centre is running efficiently or just burning energy and money quietly in the background?
That’s where the ISO/IEC 30134 series steps in.
What Is the ISO/IEC 30134 Standards Family
ISO/IEC 30134 standards family is an international series of standards that defines clear, measurable key performance indicators for data centres. Instead of vague claims like “energy efficient” or “optimized operations,” this family of standards provides objective, data-driven metrics that enable consistent evaluation and comparison.
Each part of the ISO/IEC 30134 series focuses on a specific performance indicator, covering areas such as energy efficiency, infrastructure utilisation, cooling effectiveness, and operational sustainability. Together, these standards establish a unified framework for measuring, monitoring, and improving data centre efficiency and reliability.
Among the series, ISO/IEC 30134-2 is one of the most widely applied standards, as it defines the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) metric, which is a key indicator of energy efficiency in data centre operations.
Why KPIs Matter in Modern Data Centres
Think of KPIs like the dashboard of a car. You do not drive by guessing your speed or fuel level. You rely on accurate gauges. Data centre KPIs work the same way; they help operators understand performance, identify inefficiencies, and make smarter decisions based on facts, not assumptions.
Understanding ISO/IEC 30134-2:2026
ISO/IEC 30134-2:2026 focuses on the measurement and evaluation of Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), , commonly known as PUE, which provides a clear and standardised method for assessing how efficiently a data centre uses energy by comparing total facility power consumption with the power delivered to IT equipment.
Purpose of the Standard
The purpose of this standard is simple but powerful. It provides a consistent and globally accepted method to measure and report PUE in data centres. By eliminating subjective interpretations and inconsistent calculation practices, the standard ensures that performance data is accurate, transparent, and comparable across facilities.
Who Should Use This Standard
The standard applies to data centres of all sizes, types, and operational models, including enterprise, cloud, managed service, and hyperscale facilities. It is designed for use across different climatic conditions, infrastructure configurations, and maturity levels.
Data Centre Operators
For data centre operators, ISO/IEC 30134-2:2026 provides a practical framework for monitoring and improving energy performance on a continuous basis. By applying standardised PUE measurement methods, operators can gain accurate visibility into how energy is consumed across facility infrastructure and IT systems.
IT Managers and Facility Teams
For IT managers and facility teams, the standard provides a common, standardized framework for aligning technology operations with infrastructure performance, helping to bridge the gap between IT load and overall facility energy use.
What’s New in the 2026 Revision
Standards evolve for a reason; technology changes and expectations rise. The 2026 revision of ISO/IEC 30134-2 incorporates updated technical definitions, refined measurement boundaries, and improved guidance on data collection and reporting. These enhancements are designed to increase the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of PUE calculations across different operating environments.
Alignment With Sustainability Goals
The 2026 revision places stronger emphasis on sustainability and responsible energy management. While improving energy efficiency continues to deliver cost benefits, it is now positioned as a core element of environmental stewardship and organizational resilience. This enables organizations to align data centre operations with corporate sustainability strategies and long-term environmental commitments.
Improved Measurement Accuracy
The updated version clarifies measurement boundaries and calculation methods. This reduces confusion and ensures results are more reliable and comparable.
Global Consistency in Reporting
This revision of the standard strengthens global consistency. By standardizing measurement boundaries, data collection practices, and reporting formats, the standard reduces regional variations and subjective interpretations. Whether your data centre is in Dubai, Frankfurt, or Singapore, the numbers should mean the same thing.
Key Performance Indicators Explained
What Is a KPI in Data Centres
A KPI is a measurable value that shows how effectively a data centre is achieving its objectives. In simple terms, it tells you if things are working as they should.
Why Standardized KPIs Are Critical
Without standardization, performance assessments can vary significantly between facilities, making comparisons unreliable and potentially misleading. What may be considered “excellent performance” in one data centre could represent only average efficiency in another. ISO standards remove that ambiguity and create a common language.
Energy Efficiency KPI in ISO/IEC 30134-2
The standard establishes Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) as the core energy efficiency KPI for data centres, enabling consistent measurement, reliable benchmarking, and continuous improvement in energy performance, cost efficiency, and sustainability.
Understanding Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE)
PUE measures how efficiently a data centre uses energy. It compares total facility energy consumption to the energy used by IT equipment, providing clear insight into how much power is used to support non-IT infrastructure such as cooling, lighting, and power distribution.
A lower PUE value indicates higher operational efficiency, as a greater proportion of energy is directed toward core computing functions.
Formula and Calculation of PUE
PUE = Total Data Centre Energy / IT Equipment Energy
The standard clearly defines what must be included in each component of the formula. It eliminates subjective interpretation and reduces calculation errors.
Practical Example of PUE in Real Operations
If a data centre consumes 1.5 megawatts in total and IT equipment uses 1 megawatt, the PUE is 1.5. That means for every unit of energy used by IT, half a unit goes to cooling, lighting, and power distribution.
Benefits of Monitoring PUE
Monitoring PUE helps identify inefficiencies, justify upgrades, and track improvements over time. It turns energy management into a measurable process.
Want to understand your data centre’s PUE performance?
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How ISO/IEC 30134-2 Supports Sustainability
Reducing Energy Waste
ISO/IEC 30134-2 enables data centres to identify and quantify energy inefficiencies through accurate and standardized performance measurement. By analysing PUE data and related operational metrics, organisations can detect excessive energy consumption caused by suboptimal cooling systems, outdated equipment, poor airflow management, or inefficient power distribution.
Supporting ESG and Environmental Reporting
Accurate PUE data supports organizations in meeting ESG disclosure requirements, regulatory expectations, and stakeholder demands for environmental accountability. It also enables meaningful benchmarking and performance tracking, helping organizations demonstrate measurable progress toward sustainability objectives.
Meeting Regulatory Expectations
ISO/IEC 30134-2 supports organizations in meeting regulatory and policy requirements by providing a structured and internationally recognized approach to measuring and reporting data centre energy performance. This standard helps organizations stay ahead of compliance requirements by enhancing transparency and enabling consistent communication with regulators, government, and oversight bodies.