Published on 30 April 2009

Go Green - Purchase Green Power

The data center buzz word commonly used before the recession was "green IT," but unfortunately the focus in the data center industry has become cost savings and reduction of spending. To go "green" requires an effort that typically includes spending a bit more today to conserve and save in the long run.

Methods of going "green" can be difficult in a data center environment. We all know how much energy data centers consume and by there nature they are the opposite of "green." There are steps that can be taken in a data center to help make it "green" from utilizing outside air for cooling to purchasing energy efficient computer equipment. Another way to go green is to purchase "green power."

"Green power" refers to electricity supplied in whole or in part from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, geothermal, hydropower, and various forms of biomass.

What many consumers of power do not realize is that green power exists and you have the option to purchase it. More than 50% of retail customers in the United States now have an option of purchasing a green power product directly from their electricity supplier.

Green power does come at a higher price than conventional power, but the benefits to the environment will help lessen the impact that data centers contribute to carbon emissions.

To read further, please visit the Data Center Journal website:
http://datacenterjournal.com/content/view/2776/41/