Green Computing: One Step Closer Towards a Greener Future

In 1992, the American Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the Energy Star Program, which would later turn out to be the foundation of green computing. The Energy Star Program labeled electronic devices like TVs, printers, and even refrigerators based on their energy efficiency while still getting the job done.

The program’s biggest impact was the sleep mode introduced in PCs, and now in laptops, to save energy. 

That’s the past of green computing. But now, to the present and then to the future.  

One of the tech giants creating a visible impact on green computing is Google. Google’s long-held goal of becoming carbon-neutral has become a reality, but the company aims higher. By 2030, it wants all data centers to run on carbon-free energy 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Not only that, Google is effectively sharing information and methodologies, as well as helping a variety of organizations to make their systems carbon-free and sustainable. Today, sustainability is more than a goal, it is a way of life, and green computing is an important element of that lifestyle.

What is Green Computing?

Green computing refers to the use of environment-friendly computing. It includes engineering, manufacturing, using, and disposing of computing devices in a manner that would reduce the impact it has on the environment. Many IT manufacturers are continuously looking for ways to reduce or recycle this waste produced. 

Green computing aims to be ecologically viable and improve the way in which computing devices are used. Developing environmentally sustainable production practices and having energy-efficient computers is the first step towards green computing. 

There are four main concepts to promote green computing.

Green use: This focuses on minimizing the electricity consumed by computers and related devices. 

Green disposal: Green disposal refers to repurposing or recycling the existing equipment and appropriately disposing of unwanted electronic equipment.

Green design: This refers to designing energy-efficient computers, printers, servers, projectors, and other digital devices. Green manufacturing: This focuses on minimizing waste while manufacturing computers and other systems in order to reduce the environmental impact.

The Benefits of Green Computing

Green computing, while it is focussed on helping the planet stay green through energy efficiency in products and operations, has its own advantages to businesses as well.

Energy Savings

There are several electrical applications that consume electricity apart from computers. This generates a demand for energy productions. In this scenario, it is necessary to decrease this energy crisis as much as possible in order to reduce energy consumption and for an eco-friendly environment. Switching to green computing makes sure that less amount of energy is consumed in this process. 

Cost Effectiveness

A lot of energy is saved while using green computing services, this leads to a substantial increase in savings and financial gains. Green computing does have a high upfront cost but in the long run, it is cost-effective.  

The Process of Recycling

Green computing encourages recycling and reusing electronic waste. Thus, with green computing, companies can overall increase the recycling process. 

Strengthening Brand

Today, customers like to stand for a bigger cause. A large number of consumers today solely prefer companies that have initiatives that are eco-friendly like green computing. Hence adopting green computing can lead to brand strengthening.

GHG Emission

A large amount of greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere during the manufacturing of IT hardware. It could lead to global warming, especially because carbon dioxide and other chemicals are produced excessively. As a result, in order to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted, green computing is adopted. 

How Google is Administering Green Computing

Google has adopted numerous ecologically friendly policies such as the company’s fleet of 32 Wi-Fi-enabled, biodiesel-powered staff shuttle vehicles. Other projects, such as the 1.6-megawatt rooftop solar installation, may have high upfront expenditures but will pay off in the long run.

Cloud Advantages 

Cloud providers provide for millions of users, maximizing machine use while reducing the total number of servers required. As a result, there are fewer machines and less energy usage overall. 

Efficient Data Centers

Google data centers are now seven times more energy-efficient than they were six years ago, and they deliver seven times more computing power for the same amount of electrical power. They share performance data to assist businesses to become more environmentally friendly.

Restoring our Planet’s Resources

Google’s ideas influence how companies develop products, structures, and infrastructure, allowing them to make more efficient use of the planet’s resources. They eliminate waste and pollution, keep materials in use, and encourage more environmentally-friendly supply chains. Google AI and machine learning are already being used by Google’s partners to drive vital climate and conservation projects, such as rebuilding our oceans, forests, and animals.

Google Cloud accounts for carbon emissions on a global, annual basis. The company totals its energy use and renewable energy purchases at the end of the year to ensure that they are equal. Google today aims at its data centers being fueled entirely by renewable energy on an hourly basis. This is a lot more ambitious since the internet never stops. This will include bringing the use of new technologies which would help with long-term energy storage, in addition to increased renewable installations, but Google looks forward to this with great enthusiasm like always. 

To know more about how Google products can help your business, visit Econz Cloud and we’ll be happy to help.