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Keross: Why build a Green Datacenter
March 2010 by Keross
Today’s datacenter are not the energy reserved data storage centers of old. Back when few businesses even considered gaining online market shares, data centers could mosey along provided great services with low energy requirements.
Today, as more and more people, companies, and organizations make their presence online, data centers are forced to consume more energy than ever to meet their growing space and security needs. In addition to the increase in sites online, more visitors than ever are requesting this information through desktops, laptops, and smart mobiles. Online, the constant demand for more information and the supplying of information instantly is handled invisibly by data centers working non-stop to feed both consumers and providers.
The energy required to keep just 100 websites online running at top efficiency would amaze most. The energy consumed includes:
• the power required to keep servers running nonstop as they provide data to those requesting it.
• the power required for the cooling of servers and to prevent the machinery from overheating.
• the staff required to constantly monitor operations, provide customer service, and perform maintenance when needed.
• the power required to run chillers, humidifiers, IT equipment, lighting, switching gear, and any other components we may have forgotten to mention.
As you can see, a typical data center carries a huge carbon footprint which is magnified as more clients, websites, and servers are added to the overall operation. To reduce the impact data centers have on the environment, many customers are now wisely opting to partner with green data centers instead.
Green data centers are those that take additional steps to ensure that:
• all components in the system (mechanical, lighting, and the transfer of data) are designed with a minimal environmental impact.
• are designed to be energy efficient at every level of operations – from the server operation to company vehicles.
• use low-emission building materials in its construction and design – appliances, paint, lighting options, carpets, etc.
• internally recycles as much energy as possible. For example, the heat from machines may be use to warm office spaces.
• use alternative energy technologies whenever possible.
Certified green data centers are more cost-effective, saving potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs a year. They are also equally as efficient to run and manage, and more effective at delivering against business needs. Going green for data centers is a conscious decision to reduce their carbon footprint.
Before a standard data center “goes green”, it must go through a manageable process that will help it understand and implement a complete transition in their current datacenter operations. Consultants or those knowledgeable in the task should be included to measure and monitor the effectiveness of each “green” change and to make sure that the overall project is a success.
