Green Computing
Binghamton University's Information Technology Services Department has implemented a number of projects to save money and protect the environment. These include the following:
- Implemented a campus-wide computer equipment recycling program. We recycle desktops, laptops, monitors, servers, cables, keyboards, printers, copiers, audio speakers, communications equipment and more. Since May 2008, we have recycled 200+ skids of equipment (a skid contains roughly 72 cubic feet of equipment).
- Virtualized more than 50 Intel servers and removed them from the network.
- Outsourced e-mail to Google Apps Education Edition.
- Reduced the number of active air conditioning units in the main machine room from 5 to 4, and the number of active air conditioning units in the Watson School server farm (G03B) from 2 to 1.
- Raised the air conditioning temperature from 66 degrees to 74 degrees.
- Worked with Physical Facilities Department to bring cooler outside air into the machine room for cooling.
- Improved air flow in the main machine room by plugging holes in the raised floor to balance air pressure so it moves to areas of the room where it is needed.
- Implemented environmental monitoring in the machine room.
- Added filler panels to the racks to improve air flow to properly cool equipment, resulting in the elimination of two floor fans at an estimated savings of $300 per year per fan.
- Reduced demands for printing reports for administrative systems by converting reports to electronic formats from hardcopy printing.
- Installed the following materials in the main machine room:
- Perforated floor tiles in server farm area
- Flexible baffling installed under the raised floor to seal cold air leakage and direct cold air to proper locations
- Hot aisle containment curtains installed in server farm to exhaust hot air back to a/c units and eliminate mixing cold and hot air back into machine room
- Installed duct work in the machine room to bring in outside air for cooling
PC Power Management Survey
More than 400 faculty and staff responded to a PC power management survey distributed May 13, 2011; this represents a 17.8% response rate.
Findings and recommended actions to conserve energy/reduce waste on campus
1. Screen savers: 31% of respondents believe screen savers save energy, and 56% run a screen saver. Actually, screen savers don't conserve energy since they continue to use the monitor at full power; graphic-intense screen savers may actually burn twice the energy. Recommendation: turn off your screen saver.
2. Sleep features of monitors: 34% of respondents haven't set the sleep features on their monitors. The lower the setting, the more energy saved. Turning off a monitor after a period of inactivity saves energy. Recommendation: set monitors to enter sleep mode after 5-20 minutes of inactivity.
3. Sleep features of computers: 45% of respondents haven't set the sleep settings on their computers. Almost half haven't set their computer to enter into standby, sleep or hibernate mode after a period of inactivity. Sleep features should be used unless there is a business reason not to place the computer in that state. If you need to access your office desktop machine remotely or have some other business need, you shouldn't put your office desktop machine in sleep or hibernate mode without consulting with ITS first. Recommendation: set computer to enter into standby, hibernate or sleep mode after 15-60 minutes of inactivity.
4. Shutting down the computer: 73% of respondents shut down their computer every day. This not only saves energy, but it also enhances data security by reducing the chance that valuable information is accessed on an unattended PC. Consult with ITS if you have concerns about shutting down your computer. Recommendation: turn off your computer at night, on weekends and when you're on vacation.
5. PC power management settings: 58% of respondents haven't reviewed their PC power management settings. If you haven’t done this yet, review your power management settings and activate the power management features on your computer to save energy, save money and help the environment. Newer PCs usually have default settings configured from the factory. Be as aggressive as you can be! Recommendation: review your PC power management settings and use the ones that work for you.
Power management starts working when you stop working! You'll find recommended PC power management settings, instructions on how to activate the settings and how turn off your screen saver at https://sites.google.com/a/binghamton.edu/go-green/home/pc-power-management. If you have questions or need assistance, contact the ITS Help Desk at 607-777-6420.
Next Steps
- Reduce paper consumption campus wide
- Research network tools that will enable sleep settings for computers in pods and labs
- Evaluate alternative energy sources
- Create a university wide printing campaign to reduce paper and toner consumption
- Review air temperature requirements for servers located in the main machine room
- Replace older servers with new energy efficient models
- Expand environmental monitoring; closely watch humidity levels in machine room
- Investigate the value of implementing an enterprise wide fax server to reduce faxing costs
- Develop a university wide campaign to reduce PC power consumption
- Virtualize unix servers
- Research cloud computing alternatives
- Evaluate possiblity of moving external departmental servers to a centralized site for improved power management and efficiency
Power Setting Recommendations
These were prepared by ENERGY STAR, is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Green Initiatives
Tools
Energy Star Computer Power Management Savings Calculator
Tips For Printing Smart
- Print duplex whenever possible.
- Proof or preview documents online before printing.
- Avoid printing e-mails to simply read them.
- Use electronic versions of documents when possible.
- Share documents electronically using Google Docs, Blackboard or e-mail.
- Reuse paper that has only been printed on one side.
- Think before you print!
Attachments
PC Power Management (.pdf, 269k) View Download
