Software computing is often perceived as an environmentally friendly undertaking. However, energy choices to power cloud computing is often everything but environmentally friendly. In a report released by Greenpeace, it was found that the IT sector relied heavily on coal and nuclear energy sources. Facebook is the leader in power usage, composing 11% of power used by data centers. However, announced plans to improve energy efficiency of its data center in Oregon by 38%. Because data center's energy consumption is growing 12% per year, regulation to improve current energy production for cloud computing must be implemented across all major data centers.
In a green report released by Greenpace, it talks about cloud computing being IT’s biggest innovation and disruption. Because of this, cloud computing has the potential of being unsustainable. The report contains data from the largest IT brands which reveal their dependency on dirty energy technologies. Information requires physical storage and access to reliable electricity. The report looks at the need for the IT sector to define ‘green’ as being more ‘efficient’. The article closes on key recommendations for the sector. In summary, the IT sector must shift from valuing energy efficiency to clean energy, such as solar, wind, tidal and wave and geothermal power.
In a green report released by Greenpace, it talks about cloud computing being IT’s biggest innovation and disruption. Because of this, cloud computing has the potential of being unsustainable. The report contains data from the largest IT brands which reveal their dependency on dirty energy technologies. Information requires physical storage and access to reliable electricity. The report looks at the need for the IT sector to define ‘green’ as being more ‘efficient’. The article closes on key recommendations for the sector. In summary, the IT sector must shift from valuing energy efficiency to clean energy, such as solar, wind, tidal and wave and geothermal power.
