While next-generation data centers have the potential to drive significant cost and efficiency savings for businesses worldwide, these infrastructures also present a range of complex power and environmental challenges.
The cloud doesn’t live on any one physical infrastructure. Rather, it is spread across many physical sites around the world -- each creating demands to comply with stringent energy and environmental standards. The trick is capturing the power of cloud while remaining environmentally friendly. And, quite frankly, it’s not easy being green.
The data center industry continues to grow, due to factors such as increasing Internet usage, the digital conversion of business applications and corporate requirements related to disaster recovery. A recent article notes data centers nationwide consumed 91 billion kilowatt-hours of electrical energy in 2013, a number expected to reach 139 billion kilowatt-hours in 2020. Energy experts also calculate data centers use up to 3 percent of all power generated in the United States. Industry analyst firm IDC currently reports companies spend more than $26 billion to power and cool servers worldwide.
Unfortunately, many data centers are designed to consume energy in a wasteful manner -- running around the clock regardless of usage. One article estimates some data centers can waste 90 percent or more of all electricity mined from the grid. The Uptime Institute even says energy costs have surpassed real estate as the biggest expense in the data center.
With concerns about costs, as well as the environmental impact of data centers, a trend to more environmentally-friendly options is sweeping the technology industry today. Many are opting to harness the power of multi-tenant data centers and cloud-based solutions – like those offered by CenturyLink – thus contributing to a better environment. At CenturyLink, we’re taking the benefits of cloud and multi-tenancy one step further by embracing green technology across our new data centers.
Most recently we announced our first local utility hydro-powered data center based in central Washington, acting as the foundation for our customers’ corporate sustainability requirements. Our facility will support up to 30 megawatts of critical IT load through use of alternative energy sources and accessibility to free air cooling, and features our most affordable colocation option. Electricity is partly supplied by hydroelectric generators fueled by the Columbia River. The region’s climate also powers significant free-air cooling, which translates to some of the best PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) numbers in the industry.
The announcement of this new central Washington facility came shortly after our first deployment of Bloom Energy fuel cells to power our multi-tenant data center in Irvine, California (OC2). Synchronizing the fully commissioned Bloom Energy fuel cells to our electrical infrastructure more effectively supports growing demands for power in today’s network and IT infrastructure – and in an environmentally sustainable manner. CenturyLink is also the first company to pursue Management and Operations Certification from the Uptime Institute at the global portfolio level. Together, we’re helping customers make significant strides in complying with tough government regulations.
Data centers consume a lot of energy, but industry leaders are increasingly exploring hydro-powered and fuel cell technologies to more smoothly transition to next-generation IT infrastructures. While it’s not easy being green, the right investments and focus on eco-friendly technology empower companies to increase profit and gain market share.
To read more about CenturyLink’s vision for the data center of the future, view the 5 Ways to Future-Proof your Data Center eBook to help you evolve and adapt to changing trends, such as exploring new ways to optimize energy efficiency.
