What is a Green Data Center?

The topic of Green Data Center is something I have written for on a long time. Then I tired of it. It is time to start writing again after a long break.

What does it mean to be Green? Green is something that grows and develops. It is sustainable.

Many focus on a specific. A low PUE. % of renewable energy. These can help to make a solution more sustainable.

Thanks to Greenpeace and many other media the focus on being Green is a checklist for a data center.

I wrote the above. Below is what Generative AI wrote.

Green Data Center Solutions
In recent years, the concept of green data centers has gained significant traction in the tech industry. As organizations strive to reduce their carbon footprint and operate more sustainably, the importance of environmentally-friendly practices within data centers cannot be overstated.
Green data centers aim to minimize energy consumption and maximize efficiency through various strategies. These include the use of energy-efficient hardware, such as servers and cooling systems, as well as the implementation of innovative cooling techniques like liquid cooling and free air cooling. Additionally, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are increasingly being integrated into data center operations to further reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
By optimizing energy usage and investing in sustainable technologies, green data centers not only benefit the environment but also help organizations save on operational costs in the long run. Furthermore, these initiatives contribute to a positive corporate image, showcasing a commitment to environmental responsibility and long-term sustainability.
As the demand for data continues to grow exponentially, the implementation of green data center solutions will play a crucial role in building a more sustainable digital infrastructure for the future. Organizations that embrace these practices are not only investing in the planet but also paving the way for a more efficient and environmentally conscious industry.
Implementing green data center solutions is a step in the right direction towards creating a more sustainable future for the tech industry and beyond.

Make Something Wonderful - Steve Jobs Book

Today, April 11, 2023 Steve Jobs archive released Make Something Wonderful.

There’s lots of ways to be, as a person. And some people express their deep appreciation in different ways. But one of the ways that I believe people express their appreciation to the rest of humanity is to make something wonderful and put it out there.

And you never meet the people. You never shake their hands. You never hear their story or tell yours. But somehow, in the act of making something with a great deal of care and love, something’s transmitted there. And it’s a way of expressing to the rest of our species our deep appreciation. So we need to be true to who we are and remember what’s really important to us.

—Steve, 2007

This is a different way to see what problems to solve. Spending time striving to make something wonderful can give your life meaning. Try it and you’ll be hooked for life.

Google's Green Data Center approach - one size does not fit all

Urs Hölzle posted back in Nov 2022 on Google’s Green Data Center efforts. I have not written in a long time and that will change and it is feels write that one of the posts to write about is Google’s Green Data Center efforts. Many of my good friends are at Google or have worked there. I find it with great irony that I know and chat with many more Google data center employees than Microsoft even though I worked at Microsoft for 14 years and still live in Redmond. But when it comes to discussing the green data center topic I have no problem having conversations with Google employees including Urs.

Two things that jumps out from reading Urs post. Are the focus on water as part of Google’s climate-conscious data center cooling. Normally people only focus on electricity and cooling for a green data center, and that is where Google is different in that they have had a water strategy from their early efforts.

The other point is

“The best approach depends on local factors — there is no one-size-fits-all solution.”

— Urs Hölzle

7x24Exchange Keynote Reality vs Myths of Data Centers

Bill Kleyman (Switch) and Mark Seymour (Cadence) gave the close keynote at 7x24 Exchange covering a range of myths that exist which shapes people’s perceptions.

An example of the myth is this slide. What drives this type of news is it creates much more traffic than the reality.

The presentation continued on to cover the reality to contrast the myths. The data that is used to make data centers work. Be energy efficient, use less water. Sometimes the way media write about data centers it is like the data centers of 20 years ago that had little concern about cooling efficiency. PUE did not exist.

The topics covered are in this slide.

The 7x24 Exchange hit a record 992 attendees and many are still here on the last day at 8:45a in the morning because a presentation by Mark and Bill can only be absorbed by sitting at the conference.

Meta shares its Water Efficient Data Centers practices at 7x24 Exchange

Meta has a team discussing its water efficient data center journey from 2018 to now. Meta has a goal of being water positive by 2030. The presenters are Bharat Gopal, James Monahan, and Krishna Somayajula. The session is nicely attended which is great to see the interest in water savings.

There were 33 slides in the presentation with lots of graphs and diagrams. Covering five different areas.

Given Meta’s openness much of this information is available on their web site. https://sustainability.fb.com/water/