With the amount of things that can be done at present over the web rather than in person, it’s no wonder that use accounts for about 1/10 of overall electricity consumption in the U.S. Despite this big number, consumers rarely seem to think of their surfing as having a large impacting on the grid. Luckily, a number of companies have not forgotten and are taking action to combat this and to find better power for the Internet.
Big Companies Take Steps to Save Power for the Internet
July saw the introduction of the “Future of Power,” a “list of technology companies that are making bold commitments to renewable energy.” While cars, homes, lights and other utilities are beginning to reflect peoples’ desires to use green energy, they do not consider how much of a strain power for the Internet puts on this effort. One business that has taken this into consideration is HP, a info tech company, whose recent switch to wind power will have an enormously positive impact within this very issue. “This switch to renewables, which reduces HP’s carbon-dioxide-equivalent emissions by 340,000 tons, is akin to taking 65,000 passenger vehicles off the road.” If this is the effect of one major company taking steps toward sustainable resource use, it’s easy to imagine how things could be changed if others did the same.
Thankfully, it isn’t just HP taking action. Others, such as Apple, Amazon, and Google have made the commitment to “source sustainable, low-carbon electricity” to create better power for the Internet. While nice in concept and fantastic if achieved, the goal of making these groups’ production leagues better for the environment is more difficult than one or two steps. For example, gaining access to a number of resources, such as low-carbon electricity, can be costly to introduce in areas it hasn’t been used before. Also to be considered is how strictly the standards of sustainability are; to really gain the label, the company’s production has to adhere to stringent guidelines or it will come close but not achieve the classification that they’re striving for.
Also, there have to be workers and people maintaining the power plants who have experience and understand the system. It’s another expense to assure that this is done and not all may be willing to put more money into greener power for the Internet when it may already have more of a financial dent than they were willing to pay. One positive aspect of the movement is that a number of companies are making the change as it would be much more difficult, perhaps impossible, for a smaller number to make the attempt without similar efforts of others.
The Internet only seems to be growing in use and expansiveness around the world; we can only hope that energy use is able to drop as companies begin to make the switch to more sustainable power options. For more information on power for the Internet and on home and commercial energy efficiency, get in touch with Tim Kyle Electric.
source:
Adobe to Symantec: How to power the Internet with renewables
About Tim Kyle Electric
Tim Kyle Electric has been delighting our customers with responsive, trusted and professional electrical services since 1986. We provide residential, commercial and solar power services and are experts in our field. Our team of professionally trained employees uphold our core values of honesty, respect and integrity. We are available 24/7 for your electrical servicing needs. Get in touch with us today to discuss your next electrical project.
Click here to contact us today!