Green Cloud Computing – the solution to environmental concerns in data centres

“Green” Cloud Computing – the solution to environmental concerns in data centres

New technologies are emerging at a higher rate – they are pushing demand for data centre services higher, fuelling the consumption of power as well as heightening fears that the environment will be negatively affected. The adoption of “green” cloud computing is the solution to these concerns.

The explosion of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of thing among others require and create large amounts of data that need high-density IT infrastructure. With these demands, the existing data centres are experiencing challenges accommodating the new workloads. With the high consumption of power that characterises data centres, there is a need to think about green computing technology. Components of green computing technology are geared towards reduction of power consumption, energy efficiency, space optimisation, and overall elimination of techniques that lead to environmental degradation. This article explores ways through which green cloud computing is helping address the environmental issues affecting the globe.

Energy efficiency

Energy requirement in data centres is enormous and given that demand which is occasioned by creation and storage will continue rising, it’s paramount that, ways leading to reduction of power consumption are adopted, for example, use of efficient cooling systems such as liquid immersion cooling. This advanced cooling technology not only ensures efficient power consumption but also optimises the space requirements. This makes it an ideal cooling system for entities looking to reduce their energy bills as well as their carbon footprint.

Remote working and reduction of fuel consumption

By extension, cloud computing allows flexibility where remote working is possible; you can work from anywhere and at any time. What this, means that people cut on travel time, as they can perform their duties at any location and also at a flexible schedule. With the number of people commuting to and from their workplaces reduced, traffic snarl-ups are few. The amount of carbon emitted eventually reduces as a result of cutting down on fuel consumption.

Completely paperless storage

Apart from carbon emission, the next culprit to global warming and subsequent climate change is deforestation. Most of the paper that has been traditionally used for the storage of data comes from trees although a substantial amount is now artificially made. When you also consider the amount of energy that goes to paper manufacturing, going paperless is one of the best ways to reduce the effects this process has on the environment. With the full adoption of cloud computing, the use of paper to store data will be eliminated and this means economies that rely on traditional data storage can have their fair share in building green economies. When cloud computing is built around energy conservation, the shift becomes even more beneficial.

Conclusion

Green cloud architecture is designed to reduce power consumption and overall energy efficiency in data centres. Apart from these advantages, there are other numerous benefits that an entity can derive through adopting green cloud computing. It addresses several environmental issues ranging from the shift from fossil related power, cutting down of trees, space optimisation where the need for a large number of resources to create room for equipment at the workplace is reduced not forgetting the benefits that come with reduction of travel time occasioned by remote working. Any entity that is looking to cut its emission levels should make green cloud computing a priority.