Sustainability at the LRZ
As a research-oriented computing centre, LRZ continuously seeks solutions to operate powerful IT systems in a resource-efficient and sustainable manner. In doing so, it relies on ideas from its employees as well as from technology and research partners.
The high energy demand of IT systems is the most pressing challenge for data centres. Since its inception, LRZ has therefore been collaboratively exploring strategies and measures for efficient operations: Through the direct warm‑water cooling of high‑performance computing systems, waste heat can be reused for heating. Energy can also be saved by optimising scientific applications and by operating a sophisticated supply infrastructure. Since 2012, LRZ has been using only energy from renewable sources. Since 2024, these efforts and employees’ ideas have been systematised through an environmental management system based on the Eco‑Management and Audit Scheme, or EMAS for short. This helps us identify areas in which we can become even more sustainable.
EMAS – Eco-Management & Audit Scheme
In 2025, the LRZ successfully established an environmental management system in accordance with the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) and was validated as a sustainably operating institution.
The LRZ Environmental Policy
The environmental policy – an integral part of our environmental statement – outline the sustainability goals the LRZ aims to achieve and the strategies it is pursuing to that end.
The Environmental Report
LRZ was validated according to the EMAS standard in 2025 for the first time. Part of the audit is the report, which provides actual figures on the environmental impact of our work.
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PUE: 1,23
We use 23 % of computing energy for cooling.
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CER: 8,78
To cool 8.78 kWh of thermal output, we need 1 kWh of electricity.
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WUE: 2,3
We deploy 2,3 liter water for one kWh cooling.
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Electricity
40,519 MWh of electricity the LRZ consumed in 2024.
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Water
75,726 cubic meters of water were used by LRZ in 2025.
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Paper
A total of 195,674 pages were printed at the LRZ in 2024.
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Sophia Kranz holds a master’s degree in Environmental Systems and Sustainability from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich. She ensures that the LRZ meets its environmental objectives and complies with the requirements of the EMAS regulation. Among other tasks, she coordinates the documentation of environmental data, monitors environmental legislation, and supports audits as well as the annual EMAS environmental report.
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Dr. Hiren Gandhi is an environmental process engineer who earned his doctorate at Clausthal University of Technology. At the LRZ, he is responsible on the one hand for the environmental management system, and on the other hand he works on optimising the cooling systems. Together with colleagues from facility management, he explores which technology can how be made more useful and more efficient.
Drive Sustainability with LRZ
Are you researching the energy efficiency of data centres and need reliable figures? Or are you looking for a committed cooperation partner to enhance sustainability across your research campus? The environmental management officers and the sustainability team at the LRZ will be happy to support you.
