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This website is hosted on a server located in Iceland. The fact that site performance is virtually undistinguishable from other sites highlights a key technology development in the battle against climate change. The ability to move IT workload within the "cloud" enables firms to take advantage of lower cost labor and more efficient data centers. Now we can add sustainability to that list. Cloud technology not only improves utilization of server assets it also allows firms to gain access to vast reserves of renewable energy to power their IT systems.
- Energy security: long term contracts for low cost, clean energy to power server, storage, and communications infrastructure
- Reduced server operating cost by 25-40%
- Provide a powerful marketing and branding statement
- Highlight the importance of corporate leadership through corporate action to combat climate change
These benefits are not exclusive to Iceland. They exist in a growing number of global sites where renewable energy is accessible via new wind and solar collection technologies or legacy hydro and geothermal power sources. CarbonZero IT can help firms identify and develop sourcing strategies that will inrcrease the sustainability level of IT operations while lowering operating costs.
For CIOs the primary business challenge has always been how to do more with less.  In addition to business as usual the emerging role of de facto manager of the firm’s carbon footprint has become reality for many. Today’s cloud intensive applications are consuming massive and increasing amounts of electricity. This electricity, generated primarily with carbon based energy, has made IT one of the largest global contributors of greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time the cost and availability of fossil fuel based power represents a growing business risk. Spiking power cost, availability, and brand damage in increasingly climate conscious markets are all potent threats. CarbonZero IT offers senior management additional carbon mangement options to deal with these risks. We have accomplished this by assembling a growing portfolio of providers capable of delivering high quality renewable energy based IT capacity and services.
The zero carbon sourcing strategy addresses each of these critical challenges simultaneously. Today this capacity is available in global locations where renewable power sources, such as hydroelectric and geothermal, are part of the legacy power generation grid. Next generation wind and solar power support a growing supply of dedicated data center capacity as well as the local power grid. Places like Iceland, the Pacific Northwest, Texas, and the Nordics are especially well suited for renewable energy powered data center operations. These, and other locations, contain the right mix of climate conditions, a skilled workforce, and an abundant supply of low cost renewable electrical power. In addition, access to high speed high capacity digital networks and transportation provide the communications and logistical support IT operations require.
The current investment surge in wind and solar power will add more zero or near zero carbon capacity over the next few years. The capital investments needed to add this capacity will be offset by economies of scale as local power grids gain the capacity to absorb and distribute these new clean energy sources. The cost of commercial carbon based power rose by ~40% last year in the UK as supply conditions and new carbon regulation began to effect prices. The business case for adding renewable energy powered capacity favors legacy renewables (hdro/geothermal) for now and in some cases wind and solar power are already competitive. While the timing of these developments can't be predicted the fact remains that prudent steps should be taken now to prepare for the inevitable arrival of the low carbon global economy.
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