Presented by Grace LamACC 626July 6th, 2011

GREEN IT

WHAT IS GREEN IT

WHAT IS GREEN IT

No uniform definition of green IT

Generally, it’s the efficient use of technology to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint

Gartner: “optimal use of information…for managing the environmental sustainability of enterprise operations and the supply chain, as well as that of its products, services and resources throughout their lifecycle.”

John Lamb (IBM Senior Certified IT Architect): the study and practice of using computer resources efficiently, encompassing the triple bottom line

WHAT IS GREEN IT (CONTINUE)

Why the need for green IT?

Growing trends: increase in electronic transactions, shift to electronic medical records

Data centres – the energy consumption to power and cool the servers is the second largest expense of an IT department’s budget

To avoid business disruption due to restricted electricity availability, and subsequently data availability

Powering computers and monitors accounts for 32.7% of the energy consumption

WHAT IS GREEN IT (CONTINUE)

Adoption of green IT

does not have to be costly

Time consuming

Can be integrated into existing business processes

FROM A CIO’S PERSPECTIVE

CIOs are ‘green ambassadors’

61% - sustainability is a key issue

44% - sustainability is a board-level issue

9 out of 10 companies have made ‘incremental’ or ‘aggressive’ efforts to reduce their companies’ carbon footprint

FROM A CIO’S PERSPECTIVE

Barriers

Lack of senior management and C-suite level executives support

Lack of effective organizational communication

Lack of information and practical implementation guidelines

Lack of well qualified green IT talent

Lack of capital

Lack of time to develop a thoughtful approach

FROM A CIO’S PERSPECTIVE (CONTINUE)

What CIOs need to do now

Create a plan

Work with the CFO to quantify potential savings in terms of dollar amounts

Compare how much kWh of electricity is used by the existing IT infrastructure and compare it with the usage expected of a ‘green’ infrastructure

Communicate aggressively with management and stakeholders on the benefits of green IT

Promote among employees

FROM A CIO’S PERSPECTIVE (CONTINUE)

WAYS TO BE GREEN

WAYS TO BE GREEN

With existing technology…

Turn off computers and monitors after work hours and utilize the energy management features available on their equipments

Can reduce up to 40% of energy consumption

In manufacturing companies, redesign how computer operates have machinery

WAYS TO BE GREEN (CONTINUE)

When purchasing new equipment…

Assessing whether there is an actually need to refresh data centres

Buying equipment with Energy Star® certification (North America), RoHS-certified (Europe) or EPEAT certified (U.S.)

Buying multi-functional equipment

WAYS TO BE GREEN (CONTINUE)

Considering the data centre layout…

Incorporate green design and technology

Paying attention to airflow

EX. Intel

WAYS TO BE GREEN (CONTINUE)

Virtualization…

Condenses multiple servers onto a single server,

Cooling needs also reduced

However, virtualization has its disadvantages.

IS GREEN IT A FAD

IS GREEN IT A FAD

It is not a fad because…

In politics,

Obama administration pledged more than $100B in sustainable technology

G20 in total pledged $400B

Tax incentives (Energy Star® rebates)

Move to require more stringent regulatory and reporting requirements around energy use

IS GREEN IT A FAD (CONTINUE)

In the venture capitalists’ economy,

Invested in excess of $20 billion in clean technology companies since 2005

In social trends,

Generation Y is pushing of adoption of Web 2.0 and virtual workplace

IS GREEN IT A FAD (CONTINUE)

In academics,

“Quest for sustainability is already starting to transform the competitive landscape…By treating sustainability as a goal today, early [adopters of green IT] will develop competencies that rivals will be hard-pressed to match. The competitive advantage will stand them in a good stead…”

- Harvard Business Review

AN EXAMPLE: HEWETT-PACKARD

HEWLETT-PACKARD

Lead in soldering process

Realized it would one day be banned

Took a decade to develop new process

Consequently, when the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive took effect in July 2006, HP was ahead of its competitor and was able to fully comply, resulting in no disruption in production

HEWLETT-PACKARD (CONTINUE)

Developed Dynamic Smart Cooling

Cuts cooling costs by 20-45%

In the lab, HP was able to reduce the power needed to cool a centre from 45.8 kW (using standard industry setup) to 13.5 kW.

CLOSING REMARKS

CLOSING REMARKS

Government will enact stricter regulations due to public pressure

Companies that meet the required and beyond will find themselves ready when stricter regulations pass, leading to no business disruption

Cost savings in electricity

Maintain or achieve competitive advantage

THANK YOU