With rapid proliferation of data centers to meet the soaring demand of consumers for data, video and voice, the information and communication technology (ICT) sector’s energy consumption has been rising. Consequently, data centers with associated broadband equipments used for communications and networking are a big contributor to this power consumption. In Europe alone, data centers account for about 18 percent of the ICT sector's energy consumption and they are expected to grow faster than any other ICT technology. Consequently, across Europe, they consume about 56 TWh of electricity per year. Hence, there is tremendous pressure on data centers to improve efficiency and substantially cut power consumption.
In response to this increasing energy consumption in data centers around the world, the European Commission launched a Code of Conduct initiative for ICT over two years ago. Aiming to reduce energy consumption in data centers in Europe by up to 20 percent, the EU Code of Conduct for ICT has come up with guidelines, recommendations and examples of best practice. One of the key objectives of the Code of Conduct is that each participant benchmark their efficiency overtime, using the Code of Conduct metric (or more sophisticated metrics of available). And, thereby, provide evidence of continuous improvements in efficiency.
Since the launch, the list of members endorsing this EU initiative has been growing impressively. Some big names include Dell, Hewlett-Packard (News - Alert), IBM, Microsoft and the Green Grid administration. Few weeks ago, power distribution, measurement and monitoring solutions provider Server Technology was accepted and became an endorser of the European Code of Conduct for ICT.
“Server Technology (News - Alert) is committed to helping our data center customers achieve their green initiatives. As companies become more and more aware of the cost savings associated with becoming more environmentally friendly, they are beginning to adopt green policies progressively into their every day data center power operations. We help data center managers save money by helping them reduce the number of kilowatts wasted daily. This is achieved by helping them maximize their available power with continuous device-level power monitoring and management using an intelligent Power Distribution Unit (PDU),” said Brandon Siri, senior marketing representative for Server Technology.
Siri added, “Data center power monitoring is most efficient when measured at the device level, and that’s why we offer per-outlet-power-sensing (POPS) PDUs. By helping customers monitor their data center power at the most accurate point, we are helping them become more green, and effectively saving them money on their power bill. It’s a win-win for all. Server Technology supports the EU Code of Conduct for Data Centers by designing products that are in accordance to their standards, and we encourage data center managers to participate in the program as well.”
To demonstrate that commitment to the environment, the company recently installed 24 solar panels on the roof of its headquarters in Southeast Reno, Nevada. In addition, the company recycles 14,000 pounds of paper very year and 1500 pounds of aluminum, plastic and glass. “Every day we help our customers achieve their green initiatives with our products and solutions. It's about time we did this for ourselves-on a bigger level," said Brandon Ewing, president of Server Technology.
Ashok Bindra is a veteran writer and editor with more than 25 years of editorial experience covering RF/wireless technologies, semiconductors and power electronics. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.
Edited by Patrick Barnard