Green is the new way of living these days. The biggest concern of companies using technology, since the past decade, has been the growing need to ‘go green’. Companies, as well as governments across the world, have been working towards incorporating green computing and data centers in the workforce.
Companies, like Facebook, Apple, Google, eBay, and Microsoft have already pledged to move their new data centers toward all-green operations, with more organizations taking the responsibility towards attaining environment-friendly computing and data centers.
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Green Computing and Data Centers
Green Computing is utilizing the resources in such a way that it reduces the environmental footprints of technology. This includes using resources to reduce hazardous materials, designing and manufacturing products and services that comply with the environment and green disposal (recycling), such as workspace, data centers, computers, heat, light, electrical power, etc.
A Green Data Centre can be described as the physical structure designed for the storage, management, and dissemination of data where the mechanical, lighting, electrical, and computer systems are designed for maximum energy efficiency and minimum environmental impact.
Implementing Green Initiatives In Computing
Whether you’re an individual or business, the following are some actions to be taken to ensure green computer use:
Energy-Efficient Data Centre Design
The energy-efficient data center design includes air management, heat recovery, and electrical configuration of data centers in such a way that reduces energy consumption to a great level. Modern data center design also includes on-site electricity generation and waste heat recycling.
Use of Energy Star Labeled Products
The indication of energy star on an appliance states the energy efficiency of the product, TV for example, which is generally rated between 1 to 5, 1 being the worst and 5 being the best. Therefore, you can go green by purchasing energy-saving products.
Basic Computer Ethics
- Enabling the power management feature in your PC
- Shutting down your PCs and laptops when not in use
- Disabling the screen savers as it consumes power
- Putting your PCs and Laptops on sleeping mode when you are on a break
- Avoiding the use of LCD screens and using LED instead
E-Waste Recycling
Recycling of e-waste is using recycled or refurbished electronic items, such as televisions, laptops & computers, tablets, and smart-phones, etc. It’s a good idea to re-use the old items that are in good working condition. You can also donate it to charity or sell it to the recycling sectors.
Remote Work System
The process of working using a phone, internet, from home, and without having to travel to the office every day, remote work system is a great source of Green Computing implementation, example telecommunication. This helps in reducing use of fuel and cuts down the costs related to office space, power and related expenditures.
Implementing Green Initiatives In Data Centers
Let’s have some understanding of green technology and things to consider for green data center initiatives.
Source Reduction
this is the goal of reducing pollution and waste by changing production and consumption patterns.
Sustainability
This is an effort to meet societal needs with methods that can continue to be used into the future indefinitely without depleting or damaging natural resources.
Innovation
The focus is on developing alternatives to types of technology that have been shown to be harmful to the environment.
Cradle-to-cradle design
This involves the creation of products that can be reused or reclaimed, thus ending the cradle-to-grave cycle of manufactured products.
Viability
The aim is to create an economic activity center that focuses on products and technologies that are beneficial to the environment, thus increasing the speed at which such technology and product concepts can be implemented. Investors will find there are numerous sectors in green technology that currently provide excellent opportunities for investments.
Energy
With energy often being considered the most pressing issue in the green technology sector, the energy sector focuses on the development of alternative fuels.
Green Nanotechnology
This includes the manipulation of various materials at the nanometer level, which could transform the way in which products are manufactured.
Green Chemistry
This encompasses the invention, development, and application of chemical processes and products that are designed to eliminate or reduce the generation and use of hazardous substances.
Green is here to stay. Organizations have been under constant pressure by the government, as well as the general public to implement green initiatives. The building of green computing and data centers may prove to be expensive initially, but with the proper implementation of green initiatives, we can also achieve cost saving in the near future.