Cloud computing involves worldwide users sharing internet services. This technique makes smarter use of the planet’s resources to limit environmental damage while also saving money. For businesses, cloud computing provides the advantage of a secure digital platform that is available from anywhere in the world.
As more and more devices connect to the web, all are able to connect to the cloud simultaneously. This allows businesses to easily share data across devices: giving employees, company partners, and customers the latest information.
Given its greater resource efficiency, cloud computing drastically cuts energy use. This complements other green data center initiatives, including liquid immersion cooling, which uses far less energy than conventional air cooling. Cloud computing hosts are turning to immersion cooling—like GRC’s—to combine these two promising, environmentally friendly technologies.
What is “Cloud Computing?”
Cloud computing is the delivery of different services via the internet. Rather than buying and installing systems on your own premises, you only rent what you need from an internet company. They also host resources for other clients, so you’re pooling your resources to achieve greater efficiency. When all is said and done, you spend less, you can seamlessly increase or decrease your systems, and you reduce your carbon footprint.
Practically any IT functionality can be delivered through the cloud. Some common uses include storing data, crunching numbers, uploading and downloading data, and hosting applications. It’s basically like having all of your technology available for use without ever having to handle the underlying equipment yourself.
Cloud computing can look like a team collaborating on a document or spreadsheet on an online office program. The software and data reside on a system in a remote data center that the team never has to touch themselves. All they have to do is their normal work, from anywhere in the world, without worrying about IT.
Is Cloud Technology “Green” Tech?
Cloud technology is a “green” tech, also known as “environmental technology.” While cloud computing does add some overhead data transfer to and from the remote servers, it more than compensates for this by its superior efficiency. This efficiency drastically reduces the need to burn fuel. Furthermore, the cloud enables many people to work remotely. This, in turn, reduces the number of employees commuting to and from work each day!
Green technology includes any innovation that protects the environment. This extends beyond information technology to sectors like electric vehicles and renewable energy sources. It’s worth noting that multiple green technologies can work together. Solar power can further alleviate the ecological impact of cloud data centers.
When it comes to IT, green technologies include inventions that reduce environmental impacts. Think low-power processors or liquid immersion cooling. Cloud technology is also a green tech since it reduces the use of resources compared to on-premise computing.
Environmental Benefits of Cloud Computing
Cloud computing moves data processing into large, efficient data centers. This accomplishes more processing with fewer emissions. It’s somewhat like people carpooling or using public transit, which is far more environmentally friendly than everyone driving a separate car. However, the loss of individual control that you have with carpooling or public transit doesn’t exist with the cloud. Since each cloud user has their own private resources, the cloud offers individuals the best of both worlds.
In addition to scaling economies and saving resources, data centers that host cloud resources are designed for energy efficiency. They often utilize renewable energy sources. They use high-performance processors and advanced cooling technology. The most efficient cloud computing services use liquid immersion cooling, which contributes to sustainability.
Sustainability in business has become more critical than ever. Customers gauge companies based on how sustainable their practices are, and many countries even legally require sustainable practices. Cloud computing services use less energy, emit less carbon, and leave more resources where they belong—in the earth.
Cloud computing data centers that transition from air to immersion cooling have much better power usage efficiency. Older air cooling systems require an array of power-hungry equipment to process the air. They also blow through excessive amounts of energy attempting to cool server hot spots. Additionally, the servers themselves need fans on top of the data center’s cooling fans, draining resources even further.
Luckily, none of this is necessary with liquid immersion cooling. Instead, the data center minimizes its infrastructure and real estate, wipes out hot spots, and decreases the need to replace worn-out and overheated parts. What’s the result of this? We’re glad you asked: 90-95% less cooling energy, just about the best environmental improvement a cloud data center can make.
Are There Drawbacks to Using the Cloud?
Despite the massive environmental benefits of using the cloud, there are some drawbacks. While it’s more efficient than on-premise computing, the cloud does produce some carbon emissions. Believe it or not, a single data center can chew through as much electricity as 50,000 homes!
Needless to say, energy consumption has become a notable issue in the data center industry. As these businesses strive to become more energy-efficient, they are looking for any channels to cut their resource use without cutting their service level.
Air cooling can’t keep up with the growing demand for cloud computing, but liquid cooling can. Since liquid immersion cooling uses much less energy and performs better, data centers are increasingly upgrading to immersion cooling. Governments are even offering subsidies and tax rebates for this exciting green technology! In all likelihood, liquid immersion will eventually become the only viable option.
Immersion cooling drastically downsizes your energy use, your electrical infrastructure, and your real estate. It also lets you recycle the excess server heat into other revenue-generating applications, another thing air cooling can’t do!
Achieving Sustainability Through Cloud Computing
Cloud computing—the use of remotely hosted rather than on-premise IT resources—is rapidly growing in popularity and demand. This green technology offers countless benefits including lower costs, higher adaptability, and a drastically reduced carbon footprint and more.
With liquid immersion cooling and other hyper-efficient technologies, cloud data centers are making the entire IT sector greener. Upgrade to GRC’s liquid immersion cooling systems and your business (and the planet) will thank you. Go green with GRC today!
