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IBM Going... Going... GreenBy Enterprise IT Planet StaffJune 28, 2007
Only one month ago IBM unveiled a plan they call “Project Big Green” aimed at combating the world’s data center energy crisis by allocating $1 billion to advance “green” technologies. And now they are putting their money where their mouth is by spending $86 million of their billion-dollar pledge. The effort to mobilize the company’s resources toward energy efficient IT is taking shape in the foothills of the Rock Mountains and this new datacenter will employ IBM’s state-of-the-art technology to erect a "Green" datacenter. Green IncentivesThe list of government related incentives continues to grow for businesses willing to invest in green technologies and IBM has taken full advantage of everything available to them. IBM’s mega million dollar datacenter expansion will take place at their existing Boulder Colorado facility. Expected to fulfill a commitment to a currently unknown $480 million client, this newly designed datacenter will boast a 75,000 square foot increase in area -- from approximately 225,000 square today -- to more than 300,000 square feet, making it one of IBM’s largest data centers. Some of the incentives to their company include a $700,000 "incentive funding" package offered by the great state of Colorado and the city of Boulder. Also, the Office of Economic Development and International Trade have awarded IBM with a $632,000 bonus to help get things started and they have agreed to work with IBM’s staff to institute a training program for the new data center. Additionally IBM will receive $100,000 rebate from Boulder’s Business Incentive Program, which oddly enough is due to be reassessed before the end of the year. This type of investment reinforces IBM’s commitment to dramatically decreasing the carbon output created by IT departments around the world and sets a positive example to its customers and competition a like. Implementing Green TechnologyLast month we talked about some of the steps IT can take to help reduce the amount of energy consumed and consequently reduce the overall carbon signature. An important topic and if you’re not already up to speed on it, then you should start now. For starters, virtualization will be one of the biggest players in this project. IBM leads the way in providing the industry’s most comprehensive virtualization technologies and this investment will demonstrate their ability to leverage high density computing systems. In addition, the project will include IBM’s Cool Blue portfolio of energy efficient power and cooling technologies. All of this, and the energy efficient design and construction of the new facility will dramatically reduce energy thus reducing pollution created from this large of a datacenter. Play Follow the Green LeaderAs an undeniable force in IT, IBM is especially suited to taking the lead on such an endeavor. It will only help to improve the awareness of such efforts, spare businesses the sting of rising energy costs and, ultimately, leave the planet a little greener. How can organizations accomplish this? By adopting IBM’s 5-step approach, of course:
According to company estimates, a business can reduce its overall carbon output by as much as 7,500 tons of carbon emissions for the average 25,000 square foot data center, adding up to a substantial 42% energy savings each year. Taking it to the next level, IBM is scheduled to launch a free, web-enabled portal outlining the current offered energy efficiency incentives. Similar to DSIRE, or the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy, the new site dubbed “Energy Efficiency Incentive Finder” will be a one-stop website for the purpose of obtaining the latest information regarding all energy efficiency incentives and programs available from your local utility companies, governments, and other participating agencies. So that’s what IBM is up to. What’s your company doing today to help protect our environment?
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