Cool computers

With the advent of cloudsurfing and mass data storage, we have seen an increase in the construction of data centers and server parks. Servers need cooling, and cooling requires energy. Ideally servers should be somewhere cool with energy in abundance. Somewhere like Iceland.

 Store your data, restore your planet. With a naturally cool environment and emission free energy resources, Iceland is an ideal spot for a server park.

Store your data, restore your planet. With a naturally cool environment and emission free energy resources, Iceland is an ideal spot for a server park.

 

At least that is what Verne Global thought, and started the implementation of Iceland’s first international data center in a former Nato base near Reykjavik. The idea is a data center facility that is 100% powered by renewable energy resources and 100% cooled by the natural environment of Iceland, without the use of chillers or compressors.

The carbon toe-print

According to Verner Global, by the year 2020 data centers will be a bigger carbon emitter than the airline industry. With Verner Global's new data center the carbon foot print is reduced to a “toe-print”. By transfering 8MW of critical load power to a data center here, you would save approximately 50,000 metric tons of CO2 annually. This is equivalent to a savings of hundreds of thousands of USD annually if you were to purchase carbon offsets on carbon exchanges.

Phase1

Construction of the site has started. Phase 1 is 4200 m2. (Photo: Verne Global)

 

 

Why you should store your data on Iceland:

  • Geothermal energy is a reliable energy source.
  • Free cooling 365 days thanks to Iceland’s climate.
  • 100 % renewable energy to shrink your carbon footprint.
  • Fiber optic cables connect Iceland to the USA and Europe. 

 

Further reading

Verne Global web page

The Green Grid network

Learn more about green it at greendatacenternews.org

 

Article produced by Eilif Ursin Reed 16.10.2009

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