Future of Engineering

Remote hi-tech outposts where computers are housed in 'server farms' and powered by wind and solar energy could slash the carbon footprint of business-related IT, a Cambridge computer guru believes.

Professor Andy Hopper, who heads up the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory, said it was the belief "that we can help save the planet and provide a sustainable future for generations to come" that was driving exciting new research at the Computer Laboratory. He said: "Computing power can be moved around the world and can be done anywhere in the world where the energy is available."

Professor Hopper said that the energy needed to power computers was extremely portable and therefore could be created from solar or wind energy in one location and transferred to computers in another, faraway place.

Since it was easier and more efficient to transfer information than to transfer power across great distances, Professor Hopper suggests moving server centres closer to the source of the energy. He is championing 'server farms' located in remote areas with ample wind or solar energy, connecting to computers around the country.

http://www.businessweekly.co.uk/2008040231707/computing/computer-laboratory-working-toward-a-greener-future.html

Labels: Computer-Science, Energy-Environment-Engineering