Green Cloud Computing represents a holistic approach to cloud infrastructure, integrating sustainability into every aspect of technological advancement, according to Sneha Sharma.
Green Cloud Computing is a holistic approach that encompasses every facet of cloud infrastructure, says Sneha Sharma.
The technology industry has undergone a transformation in recent years, with sustainability becoming a central theme. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, depletion of natural resources and environmental pollution, organisations in various fields are aware of the need to integrate ecological practices into their operations.
Organisations are now actively looking for solutions that not only promote technological development, but also promote environmental protection. At its core, the Green Cloud represents the combination of two critical ideas:
This doesn't just mean harnessing the computing power of the cloud, but doing so in a way that minimises the ecological impact. Delving into the digital age, green cloud represents the technology industry's commitment to a sustainable future and offers a promising path that combines technological performance with environmental responsibility.
The term ‘Green Cloud Computing’ has originated from the broader ‘green IT’ or ‘green computing’ movement, which emphasizes reducing the environmental impact of technology. It emphasizes a commitment to environmentally friendly practices, whether it is energy efficiency, a lower carbon footprint, or the sustainable use of resources. Although cloud computing generally offers advantages such as scalability and cost, Green Cloud Computing goes one step further. Not only does it offer these benefits, but it does so with an awareness of its environmental impact. The focus shifts from simply using the cloud to business benefits in an environmentally responsible manner. Basically, while all green cloud computing can be considered cloud computing, not all cloud computing can be considered green. The difference lies in the intentional and proactive approach to sustainability that Green Cloud Computing embodies.
How does green cloud computing work?
Cloud service providers typically employ multiple strategies to attain greener data centres. These efforts target efficiency improvements in one or more of the following areas:
Energy sources: The provider uses renewable energy as much as possible to power its data centres. This often includes wind or solar energy, along with large battery banks for storing the collected energy.
Facility: The provider takes measures to use energy more efficiently in its data centres. For example, a provider might locate a data centre in a cold climate, underground or even on the ocean floor. The provider might also find ways to apply the excess heat generated in the data centres, such as using it to warm nearby buildings.
Infrastructure: The provider optimises the hardware and software infrastructure. For example, a provider might deploy hardware that consumes less energy or use strategies such as dynamic voltage and frequency scaling to reduce power consumption.
Workflow: The provider uses multiple strategies to optimise IT workflows at every level. This might include shifting workloads to different times, modifying applications to reduce network traffic, optimising storage and server caches, automating routine tasks, etc.
Hence, Green Cloud Computing is a holistic approach that encompasses every facet of cloud infrastructure, from the physical hardware to the intangible software, all geared towards reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability towards a brighter future.
Sources:
1. https://www.techtarget.com/searchstorage/definition/green-cloud
2. https://www.haptic-networks.com/cloud/what-is-the-green-cloud/
3. https://www.oracle.com/in/sustainability/green-cloud/
Article Courtesy: NASSCOM Community – an open knowledge sharing platform for the Indian technology industry: https://community.nasscom.in/communities/cloud-computing/demystifying-green-cloud-computing
Sneha Sharma is an Analyst with NASSCOM. Her current focus areas include: IT services, AIOps, 5G, Cloud and Project Management. She also specialises in Application Rationalisation, Cost Optimisation, Benchmarking, Report writing, and Market Research.
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