This is an interesting question and one I'll leave up to you to decide, once you've gone through the list below:
Travel: Carbon3IT Ltd use a smart 42 pulse, this costs £30 to tax, £290ish to insure, £35 to fill up and we get around 300 miles to a tank depending on whether we' re driving locally or to a client.
For longer trips and always for trips to London we use the Chiltern Mainline, it would be rude not to, seeing as we have a railway station on our doorstep.
In our office we use an electric aga for cooking, but it also fills the kitchen with heat, and surprisingly energy efficient, it works like a fridge and keep to a set temperature, we've turned off the small oven as well.
Every light except 3 have energy efficient lightbulbs.
Our main heating and water are from LPG gas, stored in a tank outside.
We've also had 300 mm equivalent of insulation installed in the attic, this on top of 50mm of some pebbly stuff that is an insulator.
We have draught excluders on every door
What we intend to do is as follows:
We want to build an extension that will be zero carbon, with solar panels, underfloor heating and if we can we'll install either a GSHP or an ASHP, everything will be from sustainable sources and rest assured that we will keep everyone up to date via this blog, all we need to do now is to find some money.
Technology wise, we have a Very PC PC, this is the broadleaf model and it uses 66% less electricity than its competitors.
We also run Greentrac on all our PC's and have instigated active profile management that is quite agressive, if you're not using the pc for 10 minutes it'll go into an automatic low power state.
We also use automatic power strips for both the computer area and the tv area that will turn everything off if a master component like the TV or PC are switched off.
Our electricity bills are approx £1200 per year, our heating/water bills are about £700, intend to reduce this by as much as we can over the coming years.
We also think we deserve some recognition for our business activities which after all are to reduce IT related energy consumption, we do this with our consultancy services, our assessment services and our products supply services (Greentrac, Very PC, Concurrent Command & Control products)
We have reduced our electricity and heating/water bill by active management such as washing up less, turning off components when not in use, turning off lights etc, but we know we can do better.
Monday, 13 February 2012
This week.
Its quite busy, we're off to the renewable energy expo at Malvern tomorrow or Wednesday, more info on this link http://www.energynowexpo.co.uk/ and then Cambridge for a CEEDA assessment visit.
In the meantime, we have a previous CEEDA assessment thats needs a review, this is routine, all CEEDA assessments are passed to an independent audit for scrutinity, and we get together after the visit and the auditors review to check that we're all happy with the award offered.
The wife has an interview tomorrow for a position in Strategic Planning, hope it goes well, the job is right up her street and I know that she can make a difference to the organisation and all their properties.
The Child is away with the Gramps, and we should see her on Thursday.
Friday is a birthday and on Saturday we're all going to see "Swallows & Amazons" in Coventry.
Thats it, until next time.
In the meantime, we have a previous CEEDA assessment thats needs a review, this is routine, all CEEDA assessments are passed to an independent audit for scrutinity, and we get together after the visit and the auditors review to check that we're all happy with the award offered.
The wife has an interview tomorrow for a position in Strategic Planning, hope it goes well, the job is right up her street and I know that she can make a difference to the organisation and all their properties.
The Child is away with the Gramps, and we should see her on Thursday.
Friday is a birthday and on Saturday we're all going to see "Swallows & Amazons" in Coventry.
Thats it, until next time.
Friday, 3 February 2012
IBM Greenwash?
You may have seen some press releases from IBM stating that they have been "awarded" the EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres" for some 27 data centres throughout Europe. more info on this link IBM Press Release.
Unfortunately, IBM are not being entirely 100% truthful with this statement and I am sure that other commentators will be on their case soon enough.
So, whats the issue?
Well, I'm sure IBM are working very hard within their data centres to reduce energy consumption and to implement many of the code of coduct best practices, but all the EU has done is to ratify an application by IBM to be a participant to the code of conduct, this takes the form of an application to the JRC for participant status and a committment by IBM to implement as many of the best practices contained within the EU Code of Conduct in a 3 year period, and to provide environmental data to the EU JRC yearly.
So, basically, its not an award.
An award would be, if IBM had instigated an independent body to assess their data centres to the required standard, had the assessment audited and had then been awarded a level of award by an appropriate body such as the British Computer Society.
Unfortunately, this is not the case.
We applaud IBM for applying for recognition that they are intending to or have implemented the best practices as indicated in the EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres but essentially this is a self assessment, we'd like them to go one step further and get these 27 facilities assessed for CEEDA, which is an independently assessed and audited review of how far they actually are in implementing the best practices.
Until that point in time, IBM are merely using their application to "greenwash" their environmental credentials, and whilst IBM actions have probably been taken with good intent and to aid the development of the EU Code of Conduct to a wider audience, it also boosts their own activities with a falsehood.
Carbon3IT Ltd could have stated that we were "awarded" endorser" to the EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres back in July 2010 and this would have boosted our credentials, but we did not, we said that we'd been granted "endorser" status.
Unfortunately, IBM are not being entirely 100% truthful with this statement and I am sure that other commentators will be on their case soon enough.
So, whats the issue?
Well, I'm sure IBM are working very hard within their data centres to reduce energy consumption and to implement many of the code of coduct best practices, but all the EU has done is to ratify an application by IBM to be a participant to the code of conduct, this takes the form of an application to the JRC for participant status and a committment by IBM to implement as many of the best practices contained within the EU Code of Conduct in a 3 year period, and to provide environmental data to the EU JRC yearly.
So, basically, its not an award.
An award would be, if IBM had instigated an independent body to assess their data centres to the required standard, had the assessment audited and had then been awarded a level of award by an appropriate body such as the British Computer Society.
Unfortunately, this is not the case.
We applaud IBM for applying for recognition that they are intending to or have implemented the best practices as indicated in the EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres but essentially this is a self assessment, we'd like them to go one step further and get these 27 facilities assessed for CEEDA, which is an independently assessed and audited review of how far they actually are in implementing the best practices.
Until that point in time, IBM are merely using their application to "greenwash" their environmental credentials, and whilst IBM actions have probably been taken with good intent and to aid the development of the EU Code of Conduct to a wider audience, it also boosts their own activities with a falsehood.
Carbon3IT Ltd could have stated that we were "awarded" endorser" to the EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres back in July 2010 and this would have boosted our credentials, but we did not, we said that we'd been granted "endorser" status.
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
The pre- EUCoC/CEEDA assessment
Data Centres are defined in the EU Code of Conduct as any room/floor or building that is used to house compute/telecommunications equipment, that means even the humblest of server rooms can be considered to be a data centre under the code of conduct.
The EU CoC provides a series of best practices to adopt, to make your data centre more efficient, however participation is voluntary and the only thing you need to do is to send your environmental data to the EU every year. This data is then used to compile a report about data centre energy use throughout the EU.
In order to comply, organisations are requested to visit this page for further information:
http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/energyefficiency/html/standby_initiative_data_centers.htm
However, participation in the scheme does not mean that you are in fact an energy efficient data centre provider, all it means is that you have committed to implementing the best practices as contained within the code in a 3 year time period.
The BCS CEEDA award on the other hand, is comprised of elements of the EU CoC, the Green Grid's maturity model and the Data Centre Energy Efficiency Framework (DCEEF) and is only awarded to those organisations that have been assessed by an independent assessor to a strict set of guidelines. The assessment provides proof and evidence that a best practice has been and is continually reviewed by the operator, it is in essence a rubber stamp that you, as an organisation have actually implemented what you have said you would. The assessor seeks visual and documentary evidence and prepares a report that itself is sent to an independent auditor, who reviews the assessment.
Only after both the auditor and assessor agree as to the level (if any) of the award is it passed to the BCS who issue the award itself.
With the exception of enterprise data centres (over 20 racks) built over the last two years the majority of data centres will not comply with the EUCoC at present.
It is possible that the EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres (Energy Efficiency) will become a directive from the EU which will require legislation to be passed in the HP.
Carbon3IT Ltd are represented on the BCS Green IT and Data Centres special groups, endorse the EU Code of Conduct as consultants, are members on the "Best Practices" committee and are approved to conduct CEEDA assessments.
We offer a pre EU CoC/CEEDA assessment, a service that assists in getting your Data Centre ready for seeking participant status and to ensure that you will get a level of CEEDA award.
Please contact us directly for more information
The EU CoC provides a series of best practices to adopt, to make your data centre more efficient, however participation is voluntary and the only thing you need to do is to send your environmental data to the EU every year. This data is then used to compile a report about data centre energy use throughout the EU.
In order to comply, organisations are requested to visit this page for further information:
http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/energyefficiency/html/standby_initiative_data_centers.htm
However, participation in the scheme does not mean that you are in fact an energy efficient data centre provider, all it means is that you have committed to implementing the best practices as contained within the code in a 3 year time period.
The BCS CEEDA award on the other hand, is comprised of elements of the EU CoC, the Green Grid's maturity model and the Data Centre Energy Efficiency Framework (DCEEF) and is only awarded to those organisations that have been assessed by an independent assessor to a strict set of guidelines. The assessment provides proof and evidence that a best practice has been and is continually reviewed by the operator, it is in essence a rubber stamp that you, as an organisation have actually implemented what you have said you would. The assessor seeks visual and documentary evidence and prepares a report that itself is sent to an independent auditor, who reviews the assessment.
Only after both the auditor and assessor agree as to the level (if any) of the award is it passed to the BCS who issue the award itself.
With the exception of enterprise data centres (over 20 racks) built over the last two years the majority of data centres will not comply with the EUCoC at present.
It is possible that the EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres (Energy Efficiency) will become a directive from the EU which will require legislation to be passed in the HP.
Carbon3IT Ltd are represented on the BCS Green IT and Data Centres special groups, endorse the EU Code of Conduct as consultants, are members on the "Best Practices" committee and are approved to conduct CEEDA assessments.
We offer a pre EU CoC/CEEDA assessment, a service that assists in getting your Data Centre ready for seeking participant status and to ensure that you will get a level of CEEDA award.
Please contact us directly for more information
Greenprints
Greenprint's are our method of providing organisations with a action plan or roadmap to energy efficient Green IT within their buildings.
Effectively, we visit your site(s), speak to your IT and energy people and come up with an assessment of where you are now and the products, services and concepts you can use to get greener.
The initial assessment is free, yes, that's right free and will comprise a site visit and a report.
Our report will give you an idea of what you have now and where you could be.
The products are services we offer will form part of the report, if you need them.
Our mission is to reduce energy consumption from IT in your organisation. simples
Contact us for more information or to make an appointment for us to visit or for a draft report to be sent directly.
Effectively, we visit your site(s), speak to your IT and energy people and come up with an assessment of where you are now and the products, services and concepts you can use to get greener.
The initial assessment is free, yes, that's right free and will comprise a site visit and a report.
Our report will give you an idea of what you have now and where you could be.
The products are services we offer will form part of the report, if you need them.
Our mission is to reduce energy consumption from IT in your organisation. simples
Contact us for more information or to make an appointment for us to visit or for a draft report to be sent directly.
Monday, 23 January 2012
This week
I'll be on a webinar for the GHG protocol ICT sector guidance on Wednesday.
We're off to the Digital Birmingham conference on Thursday morning with our friends from SANFIRE IA.
In the afternnon we're off to London for a F2F meet with a major investment bank on Friday AM to discuss a CEEDA assessment.
We're pleased with the interest about the CEEDA award, as many of you will know the CEEDA assessement and award is very closely linked with the EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres (Energy Efficiency). (EUCoC)
Whilst the EU CoC is very much a voluntary code of conduct, the CEEDA award assesses how far organisations have actually implemented the various best practices in the EUCoC and therefore is a snapshot of how they are actually doing and not what they say they are going to do (The EUCoC has a three year window in which to implement as many of the best practices as you can).
We recently completed a CEEDA award for a major high street retailer and more are scheduled to be conducted over the coming months.
We cannot stress how useful the assessment and award will be to Data Centre owners and operators, an award will really show how committed an organisation is to energy efficiency and how this can be used as a marketing tool.
Further information can be found on our website and if you're considering requesting a CEEDA award please contact us first as we are able to conduct a PRE-CEEDA assessment that will give you a better idea of what you need to do and how you can attain a higher level of award.
Have a good week
We're off to the Digital Birmingham conference on Thursday morning with our friends from SANFIRE IA.
In the afternnon we're off to London for a F2F meet with a major investment bank on Friday AM to discuss a CEEDA assessment.
We're pleased with the interest about the CEEDA award, as many of you will know the CEEDA assessement and award is very closely linked with the EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres (Energy Efficiency). (EUCoC)
Whilst the EU CoC is very much a voluntary code of conduct, the CEEDA award assesses how far organisations have actually implemented the various best practices in the EUCoC and therefore is a snapshot of how they are actually doing and not what they say they are going to do (The EUCoC has a three year window in which to implement as many of the best practices as you can).
We recently completed a CEEDA award for a major high street retailer and more are scheduled to be conducted over the coming months.
We cannot stress how useful the assessment and award will be to Data Centre owners and operators, an award will really show how committed an organisation is to energy efficiency and how this can be used as a marketing tool.
Further information can be found on our website and if you're considering requesting a CEEDA award please contact us first as we are able to conduct a PRE-CEEDA assessment that will give you a better idea of what you need to do and how you can attain a higher level of award.
Have a good week
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
ICEOTOPE
For about the last 20 years a lot of my time has been spent inside Data Centre's, It is rare that I see something that piques my interest, today I saw a gamechanger, a real disruptive technology, that will revolutionise the way that Data Centres are designed and built.
Now, many of you will be skeptical, many of you believe that Data Centres need to be cool, in order to manage the heat dissipated by the servers, switches and storage units.
What I saw today was a complete suite of liquid cooled compute components, the server, router, switches, storage, the ups all contained within a standard cabinet, for more information please look at the website here www.iceotope.com , if you want any further information please contact us directly for more information on how you can be a lead adopter of this technology.
Now, many of you will be skeptical, many of you believe that Data Centres need to be cool, in order to manage the heat dissipated by the servers, switches and storage units.
What I saw today was a complete suite of liquid cooled compute components, the server, router, switches, storage, the ups all contained within a standard cabinet, for more information please look at the website here www.iceotope.com , if you want any further information please contact us directly for more information on how you can be a lead adopter of this technology.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)