In most countries, oil is the main fuel source used for transportation. However, this use has lead to a dependence on imported and expensive oil for many countries around the globe, and with oil supplies in decline the move to more renewable and sustainable resources is essential. Oil prices have been fluctuating for decades, and in recent years have risen steeply with prices expected to continue fluctuating, especially due to the fact that the vast quantity of reserves are in politically volatile areas, such as Iran and Iraq. These future increases will particularly adversely impact low income households ‘for who transport accounts for a higher proportional share of household income.’ [1]. Oil discovery has also decreased, with more oil currently being produced than discovered. Recent oil field discoveries such as in the Gulf of Mexico are only a fraction of the volume of previously found locations in the middle east.

Peak oil, a theory widely popularised by US geologist M.K. Hubbert, is ‘…the point in time when oil production reaches its maximum annual rate, after which the annual production rate declines each year.’ [2]. Many geology and supply experts predict that the worldwide peak in oil has either occurred, or will happen in the next few years. Since oil is a finite resource, a move to renewable or sustainable fuel sources is essential, especially ones with a lower carbon content than oil. However, over time society has become so dependant on oil that many alternatives are in their early stages, and need more research and funding to make them competitive with petroleum products.

One major issue that needs to be addressed in the move from oil to more sustainable fuels is consumer preferences. Information detailing the available and soon to be available alternatives is essential, as a lack of information can lead to market failures, which ‘can be caused by insufficient and incorrect information’ [3]. Confusion and doubt over the reliability and costs of new fuels and technologies can lead to public distrust and unwillingness to convert to them, while many consumers are also unaware that options for more fuel efficient cars exist, or even that different vehicles emit different levels of pollutants. Both education and information are essential to help facilitate a move to new technologies and fuels. Try Energy Saving Warehouse’s Lesto Survey to learn about new technologies

Maturity and reliability of fuel sources and technologies is another issue to be addressed. For instance, hydrogen is the most abundant element in the the universe and can be separated for use in fuel cells from other elements by one of three processes: thermal, electrolytic or photolytic [4]. While photolytic processes are still under development, both thermal and electrolytic processes are available commercially. However, costs are still high, and often fossil fuels are required as the input energy for the separation process. There are also some major barriers to the use of hydrogen fuel cells, such as the storage of hydrogen, transport infrastructure, refuelling facilities and cost [5]. While hydrogen fuel cells will likely be a part of the transport sector in the future, there needs to be currently available bridging technologies or fuels to help facilitate the current move from oil.

Infrastructure must also be considered when looking at alternative fuels or technologies: will current engines need to be modified? Are there appropriate transportation and fuel storage facilities? How will recharging stations work? The market for electric cars is steadily growing, however ‘EV charging both in the home and in the public realm is an area that requires careful consideration with regards to regulation’ [6]. Governments and private investors must be willing to invest in the high capital costs that this change in infrastructure will bring about.

Other major issues include the cost of the technologies or fuels, which would be expected to become competitive with oil, or even cheaper, as oil stocks decline and the price rises. Regulatory issues also need to be examined, specifically governments roles in supporting alternative fuels or technologies, such as through subsidies, tax breaks or a range of other policy options, such as to: ‘Implement mandatory fuel economy standards and/or low and zero emission vehicle requirements’ and to ‘Ensure building codes for new or renovated sites (residential, commercial, industrial) to support EVs by requiring dedicated electrical capacity and parking spaces’ [7].

Finally, one highly divisive point in the debate over biofuels is the use of food crops for transport fuel, especially in developing countries where food shortages are already a very serious problem. While using crops instead of fossil fuels reduces emissions during the driving phase, a careful balance needs to be maintained to ensure that crops grown as biofuels are not diverted from those who need it most. Resource availability can vary widely from location to location, with some geographic regions ideally suited to growing large volumes of crops, while other regions may be unable to sustain the growth needed to produce sufficient quantities of fuel. A large amount of water is required to grow biological feedstock, with present volumes seen as unsustainable to increase production of crops. It has been estimated that growing corn as a biofuel results in the equivalent input of 283 gallons of water per mile driven in a car, compared to 0.17 gallons for grain, and only 0.04 for petroleum [8]. Hot and dry regions such as Africa, Southeast Asia and Australia simply do not have the water resources to produce the required volumes of crops to become a viable alternative to oil, though future scientific advances in irrigation and farming practices may help to reduce water requirements.

While there are a range of issues that must be addressed when considering a move from oil, the move is necessary for the long term sustainability of the transport sector, and to reduce carbon emissions and fossil fuel use on a global level. Many transport alternatives such as biofuels and hydrogen fuel cells have great potential, but require more time, money and research to be competitive with oil

References

[1] + [2] CSIRO. 2008. Fuel for Thought- The future of transport fuels: challenges and opportunities. http://www.csiro.au/files/files/plm4.pdf

[3] Dunstan, C., Usher, J., Ross, K., Christie, L., Paevere, P. (2011). Supporting Electric Vehicle Adoption in Australia: Barriers and Policy Solutions (An Electric Driveway Project Report). Prepared for Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), by the Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS: Sydney. Page 3.

[4] + [5] U.S. Department of Energy. 2005. Hydrogen and Our Energy Future.http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov

[6] + [7] Dunstan, C., Usher, J., Ross, K., Christie, L., Paevere, P. (2011). Supporting Electric Vehicle Adoption in Australia: Barriers and Policy Solutions (An Electric Driveway Project Report). Prepared for Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), by the Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS: Sydney. Pages 20 + 56.

[8] Biofuel.org.uk. Disadvantages of Biofuels – Water. 2010. http://biofuel.org.uk/water.html

Carbon footprints exist to show us the true impact of our actions on global warming. It can be hard to know how to be more energy smart when you do not know how much emissions you produce, or which part of your day to day life contributes the most. One of the most important results of understanding your impact on the environment, is taking that knowledge and using it to reduce your impact by focussing on the parts of your life that produce the highest emissions.

What is a carbon footprint?

A carbon footprint is the sum total of the amount of carbon dioxide that is released due to a specific person, organisation or larger group’s activities. Our everyday actions, from driving to work to turning on the heating on a cold day, have an effect on the environment, and the term ‘carbon footprint’ is an easy way to express the sum of these emissions over a period of time. Carbon footprints can be used to measure emissions not only for individuals, but for manufactured items, countries and even animals.

A carbon footprint mainly comprises of energy used for heating your home, electronics and appliance use, day to day transport, and frequency of flying [1]. However, a variety of other variables should also be taken into account, such as pets, recycling habits and diet.

What about other greenhouse gases?

Carbon dioxide is not the only gas that contributes to global warming, but for most individuals it is the most important gas. However, other greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide and ozone can be taken into account and measured in the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide that would have the same impact in terms of global warming. Expressing other gases in terms of CO₂e makes calculations far less confusing, and allows more potent gases such as methane to be included in emissions totals.

Direct or indirect emissions?

Most of our individual emissions are indirect. When we turn on our heating, or leave the television on, electricity or gas comes from a power station, and this is where the fuel is burnt and released into the atmosphere. At present, the majority of electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels, which release a variety of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

How do I calculate my carbon footprint?

For most of us, the thought of sitting down and calculating our yearly emissions is impossible. While working out direct emissions such as petrol consumption is more straight forward, indirect emissions are more tricky. However, there are now online tools which allow you to input a range of information, and work out your approximate carbon footprint.

• Act on CO₂ is a DirectGov calculator, which asks questions about your home, appliance use and travel habits, before providing you with your result and allowing you to compare with other people [2].
• Cool the World provide a fun and informative online calculator for kids, and provides tips to reduce emissions in an easy to understand way [3].
• WWF provide a calculator which also takes food into account, and other factors such as pets and recycling. Your result is displayed as both carbon emissions per annum, and the total number of planets that would be needed to support your lifestyle [4].

What do I do now?

Working out your carbon footprint is one thing, but knowing what to do with your results is another. Most online calculators will break down your emissions into sections, such as home, travel and diet. By looking at where you are most emissions-heavy, you can then start to plan ways to reduce your emissions. If travel is your worst area, consider your mode of transportation: could you be walking or taking public transport instead of driving? If your home produces the most emissions, a move to more energy efficient appliances could be a simple way to cut your carbon footprint.

The first step in reducing your carbon footprint is knowing where your emissions come from, and once you have that information, there are a wealth of websites, books, films and other media which provide tips and tricks to be more energy and resource smart. Whatever your budget or situation, being more environmentally friendly has never been easier.

With Energy Saving Warehouse we have all the tools you need to become more environmentally friendly and hopefully take a small step in reducing your carbon footprint.

References

[1] Energy Saving Trust. Reduce your carbon footprint. 2013. http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Take-action/Reduce-your-carbon-footprint

[2] DirectGov. Carbon Calculator. 2013. http://carboncalculator.direct.gov.uk/index.html

[3] Cool the World. Kids Carbon Footprint Calculator. 2013. http://www.cooltheworld.com/kidscarboncalculator.php

[4] WWF. WWF Footprint Calculator. 2013. http://footprint.wwf.org.uk

Cycling is one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint, your transport bills and your waistline all at the same time. With ever increasing petrol prices, obesity levels and carbon emissions, there has never been a better time to consider leaving your car at home and hopping on a bike.

Save Money

There are a wide range of bikes for whatever you plan to do: road bikes for dedicated riders, mountain bikes for those keen on an adrenaline rush, or hybrid bikes for a more casual cycle around town. The cost of a bike can range from under £100 for a basic model, to over £2,500 for the latest model of road bike. Other upfront costs can include puncture kits, helmets and a chain to ensure your bike stays safe. However, even including other similar purchases, the cost of a bike is far less than that of a car. And while your car needs regular checks, services and repairs, the only continuing costs of a bike are repairs on potential tyre punctures, and the cost of food to keep its user going! By cycling instead of driving, you cut out your need to purchase petrol, pay road tax, or pay congestion charges around town.

Get Healthy

Adults are recommended to do at least 2.5 hours moderate activity per week, however in the UK only 40% of men and 28% of women reach even this minimum level of weekly activity [1]. Cycling regularly can help to improve your fitness, and reduce your waist size, with studies showing that physical activity can also help your mood by exposing cyclists to more daylight every day. The average commute to work by bike burns approximately 235 calories, which is the equivalent to a bar of Cadburys Dairy Milk. Regular exercise can also help to reduce the likelihood of suffering from diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

Cut Your Emissions

The most important thing about riding a bike is that it creates zero pollution. Transport is one of the major contributors to CO₂ emissions worldwide, currently making up almost a quarter of total emissions in the UK and causing 70% of air pollution in UK towns and cities [2]. If vehicle use continues to rise at the current rate, then emissions are expected to have risen by 35% from 1990 levels by 2030 [3]. Bike manufacture consumes a fraction of the energy that car manufacture requires, and does not require a constant input of fossil fuels such as petrol. Increasing concentrations of air pollution in cities and towns has lead to a rise in the number of asthma cases, especially in children, so by cutting your emissions you can help to put a stop to the increase in cases each year.

What Businesses Can Do

Businesses can get involved to encourage workers who live within cycling distance to leave their cars at home and make the trip by bike instead. Reduced vehicles at work can help save businesses money by reducing the need for parking spaces, and by creating happier, fitter, and more productive employees. A Dutch company, Waterschap Veluwe, gave free bikes to all employees who lived within 10k of the office [4] which allowed these employees to make the switch to a more eco-friendly form of transport without having to pay an upfront cost themselves. If your office does not have a shower and change facilities, speak to your supervisor or manager about where the nearest facilities may be, or the options for providing one in your building.

London’s Cycle Hire Scheme

Living in London is one of the best places in the UK to take full advantage of reduced cost bike use. The City of London Barclays Cycle Hire scheme has been a great success since it was set up in July 2010 by the then Mayor Boris Johnson, which lead to the bikes being commonly referred to as ‘Boris Bikes’. Bikes were available to members from the launch month of July 2010, and to the general public from the 3^rd December 2010, since which there has been over 22,600,000 cycle hires [5]. Bikes are also a great way for tourists to see the city: on the final day of the Olympics there were a record breaking 47,105 hires on a single day [6].

The process is easy and affordable: hire one of the scheme’s 8,000 bikes from a docking station by following the simple on-screen instructions, ride your chosen bike to your destination, then return in to the nearest docking station, 570 of which are found around the city. Your only upfront cost is a £2 bike access charge, or £10 for 7 days. Journeys under 30 minutes are free, with journey lengths longer than this accruing charges starting from £1 [7]. If your workplace is within the 30 minute free zone, then the 7 day bike access charge could be significantly less than driving daily, or even taking public transport.

Energy Saving Warehouse has a great range of energy efficient cycling products that help you stay safe and seen whilst on the road.

References

[1] Sustrans. Health benefits of changing your travel. 2013. http://www.sustrans.org.uk/change-your-travel/reducing-your-car-use/health-benefits-changing-your-travel

[2] Cycling Plus. 2011. ‘Five reasons to cycle to work.’ Bike Radar, April 25. http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/article/five-reasons-to-cycle-to-work-29878/#null

[3] Sustrans. Change your travel for the environment. 2013. http://www.sustrans.org.uk/change-your-travel/reducing-your-car-use/change-your-travel-environment

[4] Dee, J., 2010. Small Business, Big Opportunity: Sustainable Growth. 1^st ed. Melbourne: Sensis.

[5] Transport for London. Barclays Cycle Hire/Key Facts. 2013. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/20389.aspx

[6] Barclays Cycle Hire Twitter Account. 13 August 2012. https://twitter.com/BarclaysCycle/status/234952827921903616. Retrieved 25 July 2013.

[7] Transport for London. Barclays Cycle Hire/What you pay. 2013. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/14811.aspx

Food makes up a large part of our everyday lives, whether it’s dropping by the shops on the way home from work, searching for new recipes online or preparing a home cooked family meal. However, many of us are happy to sit down to a meal without thinking of the impact our food has on the environment, and whether our diet is sustainable. A recent report by WWF found that the growing, producing and importing of food in the UK is responsible for a staggering 30% of our CO₂ emissions [1]. The UK’s climate makes it necessary to import certain foods from around the world, which is causing one of the largest environmental impacts: the clearing of huge tracts of land and rainforest for cattle grazing, and for the production of commodities such as soy and palm oil. Not only does this clearing release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, it also has devastating consequences for the animals whose habitats are destroyed.

There are a number of ways that you can make your diet more sustainable, while also reducing your shopping bills, and getting to experience fresher, tastier produce, without having to make any major changes to your lifestyle:

Buy Food in Bulk

Food packaging contributes heavily to the life cycle emissions of food items, with individually packaged items also requiring more space for transportation. Buying food in bulk reduces the amount of packaging that is produced and that ends up in your shopping trolley, which in turn reduces the amount of direct packaging that ends up in landfill sites. Bulk food can also be packed more densely for transportation, reducing the amount of vehicles on our roads.

Check out some fair trade products on Energy Saving Warehouses’ shopping portal which you can buy in bulk.

Eat Seasonally

Growing fruit and vegetables out of season can require high levels of fertilisers, heating and other artificial inputs, which can be vastly reduced by eating food that is in season. As well as the environmental benefits, fresh seasonal produce tastes better and is often cheaper than buying the same produce out of season [2]. Try blackberries, courgettes and runner beans in September, or potatoes and red cabbage in November when they are at their freshest and tastiest. Buying produce in season reduces the need for importing and its accompanying environmental impacts. Websites such as Eat Seasonably provide in depth information about what to grow and buy when, in an easy to understand format, such as the Eat Seasonably Calendar [3].

Shop at Farmer’s Markets

Instead of buying all your produce at supermarkets, try visiting your local farmer’s market to see what is available there. Not only are you buying local, seasonal produce, you also cut down considerably, if not completely, on packaging. Produce will not have been transported far, and many sellers are now organic, so you don’t have to worry about the effects that pesticides and fertilisers are having on the quality of your food, and also on the ecosystem. You can often find added extras, such as cooking demonstrations and a wider variety of produce than many supermarkets have to offer.

Most farmer’s markets are held at weekends, and may be fortnightly rather than every week, so make sure to check when your local one will be there.

Pick Your Fish and Cuts of Meat Carefully

Meat is one of the most inefficiently produced food types – raising cattle and other animals requires large amount of land, water and grain. On average it takes 6kg of plant protein to produce only 1kg of meat protein [4]. Cutting down the amount of meat in your diet is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, and can also help to improve your health. Try replacing fattier cuts of meat with leaner cuts or fish, or even with vegetarian alternatives, such as Quorn or vegetables themselves. Websites such as Part-Time Carnivore provide forums for those wishing to reduce their meat intake to find like-minded people who live in the same area, and gives you statistics of how much CO₂ and land you have saved, even by having just one meat free day a week [5].

When buying fish, try to make your choice a sustainable one, by looking for Marine Stewardship Council certified seafood. The council has conducted extensive research into the the impacts on fish stocks and the environment of fishing, and aims to promote sustainability through all stages of the process.

Plan Your Portions

Food waste is a major issue in the UK – over 7.2 million tonnes of food and drink are thrown away each year. Not only does food waste have an environmental impact, it also costs households on average £680 a year [6]. By reducing the amount of food you throw away, you reduce your carbon footprint and also your shopping bills.

One way to reduce your waste is by planning your portions. By knowing what and how much you will eat over a certain time period, you can make sure that you buy enough food to create your meals without having platefuls left over. Simple tricks like keeping a shopping list in the kitchen to plan for meals or freezing leftovers can help to make your food last longer. Try using an online portion calculator such as Love Food Hate Waste to help work out how much of each food type you need for a range of different meals [7].

References

[1] WWF. Food. 2013. http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/changing_the_way_we_live/food/

[2] Eat Seasonably. What is it about? 2013. http://eatseasonably.co.uk/what-to-eat-now/what-is-this-about/

[3] Eat Seasonably. Seasonal fruit and vegetable calendar. 2013. http://eatseasonably.co.uk/what-to-eat-now/calendar/

[4] WWF. Food. 2013. http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/changing_the_way_we_live/food/

[5] Part-Time Carnivore. Part-Time Carnivore. 2013. http://www.parttimecarnivore.org/

[6] Love Food Hate Waste Scotland. Shopping List Tips. 2013. http://scotland.lovefoodhatewaste.com/content/can-i-have-writing

[7] Love Food Hate Waste Scotland. Food Portion Size – Portion Calculator. 2013. http://scotland.lovefoodhatewaste.com/portions/everyday

Instead of driving, consider walking, cycling or taking public transport, which not only save you money but can help improve your fitness. If, however, you do use a vehicle, there are a number of simple ways to reduce the amount of fuel you purchase and use. Every day large amounts of fuel is wasted by inefficient driving, especially during peak hour. The following driving tips can help to save you up to 15% off fuel costs [1], and also significantly reduce your carbon footprint.

Your Vehicle

There are some simple ways to make sure that your vehicle itself is more fuel efficient:

• Make sure you have the right type of tyres for your vehicle, and look for tyres that have low rolling resistance and maximum efficiency.

• Make sure that your tyres are the correct pressure as under inflated tyres can cause drag and resistance, while both under and over filled tyres can be dangerous to road holding [2].

• Make sure you have your vehicle serviced regularly, and that you use the right engine oil.

• Remove excess weight such as roof racks and boxes, and items stored in back seats and the boot. This not only reduces drag and wind resistance but can also help to significantly reduce fuel consumption. Studies have shown that on average for every extra 50 kilograms a car carries, fuel consumption is increased by around 2% [3].

Driving Tips

• Avoid using air conditioning if possible, as this increases the amount of work the engine has to do while driving. If driving at lower speeds open the window instead, however if driving at high speeds the air conditioning should be used as an open window can cause drag.

• Vehicle engines in general do not need to be ‘warmed up’, so only turn on your engine before you are ready to begin driving, and when your vehicle is stationary do not leave the motor running.

• Keeping your vehicle at a steady speed reduces work done by the engine. Keeping your vehicle at a lower speed also helps, with 45-50 mph the most efficient speed for the average car [4].

• Try to avoid making short trips, and instead try to plan ahead to combine multiple trips.

• Avoid ‘aggressive driving’ by driving more smoothly. Hard braking and accelerating can increase fuel consumption so stay a safe distance behind the vehicle in front and try to avoid areas and times of heavy traffic congestion to cut down on ‘stop-start’ driving.

Eco-driving Courses

If you have a large fleet and a large fuel bill, you can now send employees on eco-driving courses, which are designed to teach effective driving techniques to help reduce petrol consumption in everyday driving situations. The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has developed Ecolution, a course which can improve fuel consumption by up to 25% [5], while other companies such as AA [6] and RoSPA [7] also provide eco-driving courses around the country.

For more energy saving tips and gadgets have a look at Energy Saving Warehouse’s range of products.

References
[1] Energy Saving Trust. Fuel-efficient driving tips. 2013. http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Travel/Driving
[2] Ibid.
[3] WWF Australia. Eco-driving tips. 2013. http://www.wwf.org.au/what_you_can_do/change_the_way_you_live/sustainable_living/travel_transport_and_sustainable_living/eco_driving_tips/?desktop=1
[4] [a] Energy Saving Trust. Fuel-efficient driving tips. 2013. http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Travel/Driving
[5] IAM. Ecolution. 2011. http://www.iamdriveandsurvive.co.uk/our-products/on-road-learning/ecolution
[6] AA. Eco-driver Training. 2011. http://www.theaa.com/businessservices/risk_management/eco_driver_training.html
[7] The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Driver Development- Eco-Driving Course. 2013. http://www.theaa.com/businessservices/risk_management/eco_driver_training.html

The increasing demand for storage, networking and computation has driven intensification of large complex data centers that run many of today’s Internet, financial, commercial and business applications. Data a centers consume large amounts of electricity, they comprises of many thousands of servers and can use as much energy as small city. The demand for more information and superior analyses of data, along with a gradually rising need to store information, is causing the growth in the number and size of data centers. This growth in turn comes with an augment in the amount of energy consumed, including energy necessary to both power and cool the data centres computer equipment and facility system respectively.

The main problem in data centres is that a significant portion of the energy used is not going to the computers, but to power to the facility and cool the data centre. Data center energy usage can generally be divided into two mainly groups, IT systems (hardware and software) and the required supporting infrastructure (power and cooling systems) of the data center facility itself. Typical data centre energy consumption is attributed by 52% to equipment IT load such as processor, sever power supply , communication equipment and storage, and by 48% to facilities such as HVAC and lighting facilities, which in turn account for 54% of energy total consumption in buildings.
Direct electricity used by information technology (IT) equipment, cooling and power distribution in data centers represented about 1% of total world electricity consumption by 2005. In addition, this sector also is responsible for around 2% of global CO2 emissions approximately the same as the airline industry. Data centres are becoming “electricity guzzlers”, where the server farms alone contribute 200 million tons of CO2 of the total CO2 emissions globally. According to the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory (LBNL), data centers rank among the most energy-intensive types of Facilities (HVAC and lighting), using as much as 100 times the energy per square foot of a typical building. From 2005 to 2010, server consumption across the world data centres required additional capacity equal to more than 10 additional 1,000 MW power plants. Based on current trends, energy consumed by data centers will continue to grow by 12% per year, due to the growing demand from new services and users, resulting in an increase in GHG emissions. Electricity consumption (as a whole) in Western Europe is estimated to increase from a level of 56 terawatt hours (TWh) per year in 2007 to 104 (TWh) per year by 2020, with data centre power consumption playing a major part in this increase.
Based on current and foreseeable trends, the basic price of energy will continue to rise over time, and may become constrained as global demands rise, making energy use and efficiency a long term business priority. Moreover, Carbon footprint and greenhouse gases are also becoming subject to governmental regulations and taxes. According to The Green Grid report, there are now 28 types of energy policies affecting data centers in 12 EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) countries. Therefore, the rapidly increasing electricity demand for data center operation has motivated efforts to have a better understanding of current data center energy use as well as to identify strategies that reduce the environmental impact of these buildings.

In today’s world, it is almost impossible to discuss any business operation without considering efficiency. The goal for every data center owner or operator is to increase the energy efficiency without impacting on reliability. According to Uptime institute survey over 1,100 data centers around the world in 2012, data centre companies are looking for different energy efficiency strategies related with new cooling solutions that meet the demands of the hardware and the room, while optimizing energy efficiency. Environmental protection agency (EPA) has explored three energy-efficiency scenarios: improved operation, best practices and state-of-the-art, in order to develop a better understanding of energy efficiency, thus, illustrating a significant potential for efficient technologies and practices to improve the energy efficiency of IT equipment and site infrastructure. If state-of-the-art technologies were adopted in data centres, energy efficiency could be improved by as much as 55 % compared to current efficiency trends, representing the maximum technical potential.
Data centre companies are taken different steps in order to go green and to be a more sustainable sector. They notice greater opportunities in data centre cooling, power management and consolidation of servers, followed by facilities management and implementation of standards in order to reduce the energy consumption. Efforts trying to reduce the power consumption have been seen in data centre companies in recent years in order to improve their energy performance. For instance, some companies are implementing more efficient cooling systems and reducing the required power equipment by implementing virtualization and more green IT operations related with servers, memory and networks. In addition, they are implementing power saving strategies such as hot/cold aisle containment, free cooling techniques and CFD (computational fluids dynamics) models, airflow management of temperatures, air side economizer, more efficient processors including 45-nanometer silicon and quad-core processors, and chip cooling technology in order to reduce the energy requirements in data centres.
Consequently, it can be seen that making the operation of data centers “greener” has become the main focus of many research activities recently, looking for an appropriate and more efficient energy management in their operations. Efforts has been made by data centre companies in order to reduce the power in data centres and improve their energy performance, through the implementation of different innovations in the software and hardware, as well as newer installations for cooling data centres. However, data centers have been catalogued as a crucial environmental issue which deserves closer attention, hence, this data centre industry need to be studied in more detail and much deeper.