IBM Unveils Plan to Combat Data Center Energy Crisis

IBM to double computing capacity in its own data centers using new technologies to avoid 5 billion kilowatt-hours of new energy use

By Consulting Specifying Engineer Staff May 10, 2007

IBM hassforming the world’s business and public technology infrastructures into “green” data centers.

The savings are substantial — for an average 25,000 square foot data center, clients should be able to achieve 42 percent energy savings.

Called Project Big Green , IBM’s initiative targets corporate data centers where energy constraints and costs can limit their ability to grow.

Today, according to analyst firm IDC, roughly 50 cents is spent on energy for every dollar of computer hardware. This is expected to increase by 54 percent to 71 cents over the next four years.

“The data center energy crisis is inhibiting our clients’ business growth as they seek to access computing power,” said Mike Daniels, senior vice president, IBM Global Technology Services. “Many data centers have now reached full capacity, limiting a firm’s ability to grow and make necessary capital investments. Today we are providing clients the IBM action plan to make their data centers fully utilized and energy efficient.”

IBM currently runs the world’s largest commercial technology infrastructure, with more than eight million square feet of data centers in six continents.ut new space, IBM expects this will help save more than five billion kilowatt hours of energy per year.