Want to cool a data center? Plant greenery on the roof

11.01.2007
The next step that Phil Nail, the IT manager of Internet services provider ASIO.net, intends to take to improve the energy efficiency of his data center is to put a layer of dirt on the roof.

It's called a "green roof" and it involves putting about three to four inches of dirt on the roof and planting bush-type, drought-resistant plants. It will cost the Romoland, Calif.-based firm about US$30,000 to cover 2,000 square feet over a data center that houses about 300 servers. But Nail believes his green roof may cut data center cooling needs by half.

For those who need convincing of the effectiveness of dirt to cool data center servers, Nail's advice is to stick their hands in some. "It's cool down there," he said.

Nail is ahead of most in adopting green technologies. His firm already uses solar panels that generate 12 kilowatts electricity, enough to power his servers and lighting. But California wants to see many more companies add solar power to the mix and began offering this month a $2.50-per-watt tax rebate for systems of up to 1 megawatt in size. Its California initiative has budgeted $2.9 billion for incentives over 10 years.

Globally, solar energy use is an approximately $15 billion industry. But research firm IDC in Framingham, Mass., estimates that U.S. spending accounts for only about 10 percent of the global market.

"For most companies to invest in what is perceived as novel energy technologies is a tough sell," said Nicholas Lenssen, an IDC analyst. "Most companies want a two- to three-year payback. But, by and large, there isn't a whole lot of interest in onsite generation."