Press Releases
Huge opportunity exists to increase energy efficiency of data centres, according to Greening Greater Toronto "Green Exchange" on Greening IT Procurement
TORONTO - July 7, 2010 - A majority of servers in data centres operate at only four per cent average utilization, representing a huge opportunity for organizations to reduce energy use through better design and operation. This and other findings come from a recent "Green Exchange" meeting on greening IT practices hosted by Greening Greater Toronto in partnership with the Ontario Institute of the Purchasing Management Association of Canada.
The meeting, one of a series of boardroom discussions focused on different green procurement topics, brought together IT purchasers from large private and public sector organizations to delve into the trends, considerations and paybacks of buying green and increasing the energy efficiency of IT.
Highlights of the meeting's learnings include:
Power Management: Central-control systems are more effective at reducing energy consumption than relying on employee practices.
Computer Purchasing: Most IT purchasers put the onus on IT vendors to offer products that bear environmental certifications. Beyond certification, the greatest factor in reducing an organization's environmental footprint is increasing employee and workplace mobility, and the new technologies that support it.
Data Centres: The easiest energy savings come through optimization of design, utilization and housing. A few organizations are introducing additional innovations such as liquid cooling and district energy sources.
Motivation for Green IT: The primary motivators for buying green IT are cost efficiency, low capital investment, easy transitions and to match peer behaviour to remain competitive.
"Through the 'Green Exchange' series, Greening Greater Toronto is providing a platform for purchasers to share best practices, challenges and information on the latest green strategies across different areas of an organization's procurement," said Linda Weichel, Managing Director, Greening Greater Toronto. "We're helping channel green procurement choices to those who are in a position to change their organization's practices to reduce their environmental footprint."
An initiative of the Green Procurement Leadership Council, the 'Green Exchange' series brings vendors and buyers together at the table to increase green procurement, reduce environmental impact and build Ontario's green products and services industry.
The Green Procurement Initiative is supported by the Conservation Fund of the Ontario Power Authority, which provides support for new and innovative electricity conservation initiatives that build the ability of Ontario's residents, businesses, and institutions to reduce their demand for electricity.
The outcomes of the IT Green Exchange discussion can be found here.
- 30 -
About Greening Greater Toronto:
Greening Greater Toronto (www.greeninggreatertoronto.ca) is an initiative of the Toronto City Summit Alliance (www.torontoalliance.ca), a coalition of thousands of civic leaders who develop and launch solutions to pressing social and economic challenges in the Toronto region. More than 170 partners from corporations, industry, government, and the not-for-profit sector have joined the Greening Greater Toronto initiative, which aims to make the Greater Toronto Area the greenest city region in North America. They and others are engaged in three programs to address the region's environmental challenges, including: driving energy efficiency measures in Toronto region commercial buildings; creating a local emissions reduction fund; and encouraging green procurement.
Media Contact:
Rebecca Geller
Communications and Events Officer, Toronto City Summit Alliance
rebecca.geller@torontocitysummit.ca
(416) 992-4966 (cell)
(416) 309-4480 x509 (work)
The meeting, one of a series of boardroom discussions focused on different green procurement topics, brought together IT purchasers from large private and public sector organizations to delve into the trends, considerations and paybacks of buying green and increasing the energy efficiency of IT.
Highlights of the meeting's learnings include:
Power Management: Central-control systems are more effective at reducing energy consumption than relying on employee practices.
Computer Purchasing: Most IT purchasers put the onus on IT vendors to offer products that bear environmental certifications. Beyond certification, the greatest factor in reducing an organization's environmental footprint is increasing employee and workplace mobility, and the new technologies that support it.
Data Centres: The easiest energy savings come through optimization of design, utilization and housing. A few organizations are introducing additional innovations such as liquid cooling and district energy sources.
Motivation for Green IT: The primary motivators for buying green IT are cost efficiency, low capital investment, easy transitions and to match peer behaviour to remain competitive.
"Through the 'Green Exchange' series, Greening Greater Toronto is providing a platform for purchasers to share best practices, challenges and information on the latest green strategies across different areas of an organization's procurement," said Linda Weichel, Managing Director, Greening Greater Toronto. "We're helping channel green procurement choices to those who are in a position to change their organization's practices to reduce their environmental footprint."
An initiative of the Green Procurement Leadership Council, the 'Green Exchange' series brings vendors and buyers together at the table to increase green procurement, reduce environmental impact and build Ontario's green products and services industry.
The Green Procurement Initiative is supported by the Conservation Fund of the Ontario Power Authority, which provides support for new and innovative electricity conservation initiatives that build the ability of Ontario's residents, businesses, and institutions to reduce their demand for electricity.
The outcomes of the IT Green Exchange discussion can be found here.
About Greening Greater Toronto:
Greening Greater Toronto (www.greeninggreatertoronto.ca) is an initiative of the Toronto City Summit Alliance (www.torontoalliance.ca), a coalition of thousands of civic leaders who develop and launch solutions to pressing social and economic challenges in the Toronto region. More than 170 partners from corporations, industry, government, and the not-for-profit sector have joined the Greening Greater Toronto initiative, which aims to make the Greater Toronto Area the greenest city region in North America. They and others are engaged in three programs to address the region's environmental challenges, including: driving energy efficiency measures in Toronto region commercial buildings; creating a local emissions reduction fund; and encouraging green procurement.
Media Contact:
Rebecca Geller
Communications and Events Officer, Toronto City Summit Alliance
rebecca.geller@torontocitysummit.ca
(416) 992-4966 (cell)
(416) 309-4480 x509 (work)
[ Current ] [ Archives ]