Designing for Tomorrow: Zero+ Champion Sabey Drives Sustainable Data Center Innovation 

Recognized as a Zero+ Champion of Sustainability, Sabey Data Centers is leading the charge toward a cleaner energy future. A McKinstry partnership with Lumen Field, the Zero+ Champions of Sustainability Awards celebrate organizations making measurable progress in environmental stewardship. Sabey’s selection reflects its national leadership in energy efficiency and commitment to reducing the environmental impact of digital infrastructure.

As demand for data storage and computing power continues to grow, Sabey proves that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand. With a portfolio designed around efficiency, resiliency and environmental responsibility, the company has become one of the country’s leading voices in sustainable data center design.

Building a Model for Impactful Growth

For decades, Sabey has made sustainability a cornerstone of its growth strategy, continually investing in technologies and design approaches that reduce environmental impact while maintaining the reliability customers expect. McKinstry has supported Sabey’s mission through data center project engineering and delivery since the mid-1980s. That relationship has grown into a lasting partnership focused on innovation and performance.

From Vision to Reality

Sabey’s pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across Scope 1 and Scope 2 operations by 2029 underscores its leadership in the industry. The company is already making significant progress through energy-efficient design, renewable integration and operational excellence.

At the Texas Advanced Computing Center, Sabey implemented a closed-loop liquid cooling system designed by McKinstry that eliminates water use in the cooling process. The system has since become a standard feature across Sabey’s campuses.

All eligible Sabey data center buildings have achieved ENERGY STAR certification, with performance scores consistently among the highest in the nation.

Across its data center campuses, Sabey continues to meet and exceed building performance standards by operating at peak efficiency.

Pioneering Innovation

Innovation has long defined Sabey’s approach. In 2014 and 2015, Sabey and McKinstry co-patented the Mobile Commissioning Assistant, a tool that simulates both heat and airflow from servers to provide more accurate performance testing. The invention raised the bar for data center commissioning across the industry.

At Sabey’s SDC Seattle campus in Tukwila, sustainability extends well beyond building systems. A salmon-release program along the restored Riverton Creek integrates the company’s environmental values with community engagement. Sabey revitalized the former farmland site, preserved the native habitat and hosts annual events where local families help release fry into the stream. McKinstry fabricated the tanks that support the salmon before release, helping bring this innovative habitat program to life.

Investing in Communities

Sabey’s impact reaches beyond its facilities. From charitable events across Washington to outreach programs in Texas, the company invests in the communities where it builds and operates. Its core values of people and planet continue to guide its work and shape its culture.

“Sabey’s actions mirror its values. From design through construction and turnover, the company delivers on its sustainability promises. That consistency is rare, and it’s what makes them a true champion,” said Thomas Tellefson, senior vice president of Data Center Innovations at McKinstry.