Green IT
description
Transcript of Green IT
Presented by Grace LamACC 626July 6th, 2011
GREEN IT
WHAT IS GREEN IT
WHAT IS GREEN IT
No uniform definition of green IT
Generally, it’s the efficient use of technology to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint
Gartner: “optimal use of information…for managing the environmental sustainability of enterprise operations and the supply chain, as well as that of its products, services and resources throughout their lifecycle.”
John Lamb (IBM Senior Certified IT Architect): the study and practice of using computer resources efficiently, encompassing the triple bottom line
WHAT IS GREEN IT (CONTINUE)
Why the need for green IT?
Growing trends: increase in electronic transactions, shift to electronic medical records
Data centres – the energy consumption to power and cool the servers is the second largest expense of an IT department’s budget
To avoid business disruption due to restricted electricity availability, and subsequently data availability
Powering computers and monitors accounts for 32.7% of the energy consumption
WHAT IS GREEN IT (CONTINUE)
Adoption of green IT
does not have to be costly
Time consuming
Can be integrated into existing business processes
FROM A CIO’S PERSPECTIVE
CIOs are ‘green ambassadors’
61% - sustainability is a key issue
44% - sustainability is a board-level issue
9 out of 10 companies have made ‘incremental’ or ‘aggressive’ efforts to reduce their companies’ carbon footprint
FROM A CIO’S PERSPECTIVE
Barriers
Lack of senior management and C-suite level executives support
Lack of effective organizational communication
Lack of information and practical implementation guidelines
Lack of well qualified green IT talent
Lack of capital
Lack of time to develop a thoughtful approach
FROM A CIO’S PERSPECTIVE (CONTINUE)
What CIOs need to do now
Create a plan
Work with the CFO to quantify potential savings in terms of dollar amounts
Compare how much kWh of electricity is used by the existing IT infrastructure and compare it with the usage expected of a ‘green’ infrastructure
Communicate aggressively with management and stakeholders on the benefits of green IT
Promote among employees
FROM A CIO’S PERSPECTIVE (CONTINUE)
WAYS TO BE GREEN
WAYS TO BE GREEN
With existing technology…
Turn off computers and monitors after work hours and utilize the energy management features available on their equipments
Can reduce up to 40% of energy consumption
In manufacturing companies, redesign how computer operates have machinery
WAYS TO BE GREEN (CONTINUE)
When purchasing new equipment…
Assessing whether there is an actually need to refresh data centres
Buying equipment with Energy Star® certification (North America), RoHS-certified (Europe) or EPEAT certified (U.S.)
Buying multi-functional equipment
WAYS TO BE GREEN (CONTINUE)
Considering the data centre layout…
Incorporate green design and technology
Paying attention to airflow
EX. Intel
WAYS TO BE GREEN (CONTINUE)
Virtualization…
Condenses multiple servers onto a single server,
Cooling needs also reduced
However, virtualization has its disadvantages.
IS GREEN IT A FAD
IS GREEN IT A FAD
It is not a fad because…
In politics,
Obama administration pledged more than $100B in sustainable technology
G20 in total pledged $400B
Tax incentives (Energy Star® rebates)
Move to require more stringent regulatory and reporting requirements around energy use
IS GREEN IT A FAD (CONTINUE)
In the venture capitalists’ economy,
Invested in excess of $20 billion in clean technology companies since 2005
In social trends,
Generation Y is pushing of adoption of Web 2.0 and virtual workplace
IS GREEN IT A FAD (CONTINUE)
In academics,
“Quest for sustainability is already starting to transform the competitive landscape…By treating sustainability as a goal today, early [adopters of green IT] will develop competencies that rivals will be hard-pressed to match. The competitive advantage will stand them in a good stead…”
- Harvard Business Review
AN EXAMPLE: HEWETT-PACKARD
HEWLETT-PACKARD
Lead in soldering process
Realized it would one day be banned
Took a decade to develop new process
Consequently, when the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive took effect in July 2006, HP was ahead of its competitor and was able to fully comply, resulting in no disruption in production
HEWLETT-PACKARD (CONTINUE)
Developed Dynamic Smart Cooling
Cuts cooling costs by 20-45%
In the lab, HP was able to reduce the power needed to cool a centre from 45.8 kW (using standard industry setup) to 13.5 kW.
CLOSING REMARKS
CLOSING REMARKS
Government will enact stricter regulations due to public pressure
Companies that meet the required and beyond will find themselves ready when stricter regulations pass, leading to no business disruption
Cost savings in electricity
Maintain or achieve competitive advantage
THANK YOU