The efficiency all enterprises want, and the work competence needed, are being catered to by cloud computing, that’s a no-brainer right? We’ve discussed cloud computing previously and learned how it’s beneficial and that all organizations and workplaces, irrespective of their sizes, are shifting to the cloud. For those of you, not aware of cloud computing, let’s do a little revision and see what Green cloud computing actually is.
Know cloud computing:
Cloud computing can be defined as a cost-effective and highly scalable infrastructure for running web applications. Put in the simplest of words cloud computing is the delivery of computing services inclusive of servers, databases, networking, software, and analytics. The sole aim is to offer better flexible resources and faster innovation.
Every enterprise is shifting to the cloud, to embed the efficiency introduced by cloud computing.
Why do we need Green cloud computing?
Every night in the Netflix binge, an email or your favorite PUBG match- might or might not give you the dopamine rush you are looking for but it’s certain that it will give a deadly carbon poison.
The data for all of this is stored in the cloud, which is sufficient enough to ding the climate. As these data are stored in the cloud, they are sufficiently huge to ding the climate. More than 90% of companies across the world now use cloud technology to store their data.
Why is that an issue?
The whole data center industry consumes over 90 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
That’s an alarming amount of energy consumption. Let me put it in simpler words, The amount of energy used by data centers is equivalent output of 34 coal-powered power plants approximately.
High energy consumption has various effects, firstly high energy consumption converts into high operational costs which directly reduces the profit margin of cloud providers. Secondly, it leads to a high carbon commission which is not at all environmentally friendly. Hence, we need more energy-efficient solutions so as to reduce and minimize the impact of cloud computing on the environment.
Green cloud computing
Green cloud computing and green ICT ( Green ICT refers to the study and practice of using computing resources efficiently with close to no or minimal impact on the environment) both are business practices that are sustainable in nature. These practices are trying to reduce the environmental footprints of technology by employing multiple resources.
Green computing along with green ICT are two very crucial perspectives for businesses to work on, for the betterment of their corporate image. This is accommodated by meeting regulatory requirements and sustainability demands as well. The sustainability demands of both customers and employers are kept in mind.
Green computing has been seen as a way for all kinds of organizations and individuals to work better and enhance their efficiency in resources. Green computing considers the use of computers and related resources in a more environmentally friendly manner. For instance the implementation of energy efficiency in the computer equipment.
It is associated with rising applications in computing effectively that lead to a very important greenhouse gas reduction. Green computing uses computers and resources connected in an atmosphere. There are many IT manufacturers and vendors who are devoted to designing something that is energy economical, they’re investing tirelessly, so as to notably reduce the usage of dangerous materials. Hence, they’re galvanizing the recyclability of the paper used for printing as well as for digital devices.
The aim of Green cloud computing:
There is an underlying aim or a clear goal, for every initiative. Similarly in Cloud Computing, the aim is clear and is as follows:
- To reduce the usage of dangerous materials.
- Secondly to amplify the product’s energy efficiency, all through its lifetime.
- Thirdly to advance the biodegradability and recyclability of factory waste.
Many efforts are being made to realize these goals, a few areas of paramount importance are:
- Longevity of the product life.
- Efficiency in algorithm
- Virtualization
- Allocation of resources.
- Power management.
Challenges in the way of Green Cloud Computing :
Green cloud computing has gained repute as a new innovation that has all decision-makers enticed. As we all know implementation is always the hard part when compared with planning. Similarly, there are multiple challenges in the way of implementing environment-friendly cloud computing. Let’s have a look at the challenges that stand in the way
1. Cooling:
Cooling consumes around ⅓ of all-out energy that is consumed. This poses a huge issue. To combat this there are a few ways like establishing chiller plants in close proximity to data centers, to supply cool air to the servers to cool off.
2. Location of Data Centres:
It is advised that the data centers should be built in a way that energy can be saddled from resources like Sunlight-based and wind energy, as they are inexhaustible. While the area for the data center is being finalized convenience may take a back seat but the zones are considered. It’s advised to be built in SEZ ( special economic Zones).
3. Storage:
With the IT industry expanding at an alarming pace, storage has also become a matter of concern. To counter this storage should be merged.
4. Electronic Waste Management:
Most companies use coal-flued plants or nuclear-powered plants to meet their energy necessities. These plants discharge a great deal of nuclear waste which is one of the main reasons for climate contamination. Not only this, the waste is hazardous for individuals who live in close proximity and breathe the atomic releases. So it’s very crucial to manage e-waste.
As we know everything has two aspects to it. Similarly, green cloud computing also has two aspects, advantages and disadvantages. We shall look at both in detail.
Advantages of Green cloud computing :
There are many advantages of Green Cloud Computing, let’s have a look at them:
1. Go paperless:
One of the biggest benefits of green cloud computing is that it helps organizations to go paperless as they offer several cloud storage options like DropBox, Sharepoint, etc. This form of computing has reduced the need to reuse, burn, or discard paper documents and protect the climate from the adverse effect it makes.
2. Decrease Carbon Footprints:
Cloud computing has given us the liberty to experience work from any place on the globe and is free of time constraints. It has given remote work an opportunity to grow. As more people work remotely fuel emissions go down and overall carbon footprints are decreasing in number.
3. Energy conservation:
With the adoption of the cloud, organizations can pool their resources, and therefore there can be a reduction in the on-premise equipment needed, which further causes a decrease in the power consumption further causing a reduction in the bill.
4. Budget-friendly platform and Improved Customer Experience:
The cloud platform has made customer services top-notch as the organization can be now more responsive to customers along with meeting the deadline as well, because of the cloud platform.
Disadvantages of Green Cloud Computing:
1. The cost for Implementation is high:
The initial cost to adopt green computing is rather costly, especially for medium-sized and small-sized enterprises. The biggest lacking here is that it isn’t affordable as yet.
2. Not easy to adapt to:
Cloud technology and green computing cloud technology keep on evolving fast and hence it becomes difficult to adapt to.
3. Underpowered Green computers:
Evidently, the entire hassle is to save energy, whereas computer applications require high power to be able to perform efficiently. So they can often be left underpowered, which can impact their work progress.
Conclusion:
The benefits being offered by cloud computing are numerous. It ushers us with convenience, adaptability, versatility, and all that whilst being cost-efficient. It has become the face of innovation and growth for all enterprises, organizations, etc. But we are also aware it is leading to massive pressure on natural resources, which are exhaustible. Whereas green cloud computing emerges as a way to combat the damage whilst not hindering the growth, and efficiency introduced by Cloud Computing. Green cloud computing and green ICT are sustainable technologies that try and lessen the pressure on power utilization by data centers. The aim is to keep the planet green and healthier. On the whole Green cloud computing aids that smartly.
