Category: Environment
- Extrapolation of data center energy estimates ()
There are currently only two credible estimates for global data center energy consumption: 196 TWh to 400 TWh for 2020. Why do we see vastly higher reports?
- What is sustainable computing? ()
Sustainable computing concerns the consumption of computing resources in a way that means such usage has a net zero impact on the environment.
- Paper notes – What will drive computer performance after Moore’s law? ()
What will drive computer performance after Moore’s law? Will programmers need to focus on performance or can ARM chips and the cloud save us?
- Standardizing carbon accounting ()
It is currently impossible to properly compare how “sustainable” one product is vs another. Pictures of wind farms look nice, but how do you choose which cloud region to deploy (or move) your resources if there is no way to compare them?
- Zero water in our data centers by 2030: mission impossible? ()
My remarks from a panel discussion on data center water consumption: Zero water in our data centers by 2030: mission impossible?
- Paper notes – An Analysis of Renewable Energy Usage by Mobile Data Network Operators ()
My notes on the paper: Syed et al (2021) An Analysis of Renewable Energy Usage by Mobile Data Network Operators. Sustainability. 13 (4), 1886.
- How data center operators can transition to renewable energy ()
To avoid accusations of greenwashing, data center operators must consider investing in a portfolio of renewable energy products. RECs cannot credibly be used to back claims of 100% renewable energy use.
- Paper notes – Energy-efficient cloud computing technologies and policies for an eco-friendly cloud market ()
My notes on the paper: Montevecchi, F., Hinterholzer, S., Stickler, T. & Hintemann, R. (2020) Energy-efficient cloud computing technologies and policies for an eco-friendly cloud market: final study report.
- Paper notes – Moore’s Law and ICT Innovation in the Anthropocene ()
My notes on the paper: Bol, D., Pirson, T. & Dekimpe, R. (2021) Moore’s Law and ICT Innovation in the Anthropocene.
- RECs cannot be used to back claims of 100% renewable energy ()
Most data center sustainability strategies still focus on renewable energy certificates (RECs). RECs are now considered low quality products because they cannot credibly be used to back claims of 100% renewable energy use