Interview with Schneider Electric on the Greening of Data Centers

In this interview with Green Business Times, Mr TS Khoo, Vice President of East Asia, IT Business, Schneider Electric, shares his thoughts on the greening of data centers and the trend of Data Center 2.0.

1) Tell us more about the rising trend of Data Center 2.0 and how it benefits both companies and the environment.

Data Center 2.0 is a term used to describe the next generation of data centers. This new structural breed moves beyond the bespoke, traditional builds and into the concept of pre-fabricated, modular and easily installed systems that are developed off-site.

In the current data center landscape, we’re witnessing IT infrastructure overwhelmed with business demands and companies are expanding their data centers to accommodate the increased IT strain.

Frost & Sullivan reports that the number of data centers is expected to grow at a rate of 11% per year, which will consequently lead to a sharp rise in IT costs and a steady increase in carbon emissions. Read more

SS 564:2010 Green Data Centres – Energy and Environmental Management Systems Development [Events]

This course, SS 564:2010 Green Data Centres – Energy and Environmental Management Systems Development, is conducted by the Centre for Safety & Health, Environment & Quality (SHEQ), a business unit of ST Electronics (e-Services) Pte Ltd.

This course provides delegates with an overview of the principles, methodologies and framework behind Green Data Centres – Energy and Environmental Management Systems (E2MS). The requirements and benefits of SS 564 will be systematically taught and discussed in this course. This Singapore Standard seek to address the needs of any organisations that want to improve the energy efficiency of theirs data centres, lessen the impact on the environment, reduce energy cost and enhance their business competitiveness. Read more

Survey shows organisations embrace green IT and sustainability [News]

By Rachel Kelly, Channel NewsAsia, 28 July 2011.

When it comes to top initiatives that will benefit an organisation, green IT and sustainability came in second for 2011.

This is according to a C-suite barometer survey of over 1,000 companies in the region by research house IDC.

The IDC 2011 C-Suite barometer survey showed that organisations are becoming more and more aware of the benefits of green IT and sustainability.

It heard from industry executives in the region. 60 per cent of the respondents have C-level titles. There was a total of 99 respondents in Singapore.

Analysts said they were surprised that such initiatives took such a high ranking while others have been positioning their business model to tap on to this trend. Read more

The Green Business Times Guide to Singapore Government Funding and Incentives for the Environment

[Read the updated 2012 guide]

Singapore is well-known as a clean and green city with the government striving for environmental sustainability while growing the economy. The government has also identified Environmental and Water Technologies (EWT) including Clean Energy as strategic areas where Singapore has a competitive edge and which could generate future economic growth.

To accelerate the growth of the environmental industry and to maintain Singapore’s image as a clean and green city, the government has initiated several funding and incentive schemes related to energy efficiency, clean energy, green buildings, water and environmental technologies, green transport, waste minimisation, environmental management system, environmental initiatives, clean development mechanism, and green IT.

The funding and incentive schemes are provided by government agencies such as:

• Building and Construction Authority (BCA)
• Economic Development Board (EDB)
• Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA)
• Land Transport Authority (LTA)
• Energy Market Authority (EMA)
• National Environment Agency (NEA)
• National Parks Board (NParks)
• PUB, the national water agency (PUB)
• SPRING Singapore (SPRING)
• Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)

To help businesses understand what’s available, we have compiled a list of 33 government funding and incentives for the environment:

1. Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme (EASe)
2. Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies (GREET)
3. One-Year Accelerated Depreciation Allowance for Energy Efficient Equipment and Technology (One-Year ADAS)
4. Design for Efficiency Scheme (DfE)
5. SCEM Training Grant
6. Clean Energy Research and Testbedding Programme (CERT)
7. Energy Research Development Fund (ERDF)
8. Solar Capability Scheme (SCS)
9. Market Development Fund
10. Green Mark Incentive Scheme for Existing Buildings (GMIS-EB)
11. Green Mark Incentive Scheme for New Buildings (GMIS-NB)
12. Green Mark Incentive Scheme – Design Prototype (GMIS-DP)
13. Green Mark Gross Floor Area Incentive Scheme (GM-GFA)
14. MND Research Fund for the Built Environment
15. A*STAR-MND Joint Grant Call
16. Pilot Incentive Scheme for Green Roofs
17. Gross Floor Area Incentives for Outdoor Refreshment Area on Rooftops
18. Water Efficiency Fund (WEF)
19. Fast-Track Environmental and Water Technologies Incubator Scheme (Fast-Tech)
20. Technology Pioneer (TechPioneer) Scheme
21. Incentive for Research and Innovation Scheme (IRIS)
22. Environmental Technology Capability Development Programme (EnviroTech CDP)
23. Innovation Voucher Scheme
24. Innovation for Environmental Sustainability (IES) Fund
25. Land Transport Innovation Fund (LTIF)
26. Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR)
27. Transport Technology Innovation and Development Scheme (TIDES+)
28. 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Fund
29. Environment Technology Research Programme (ETRP)
30. Local Enterprise Technical Assistance Scheme (LETAS)
31. 3P Partnership Fund
32. Clean Development Mechanism Documentation Grant
33. Infocomm Leadership and Development Programme (iLEAD)

If we missed out any funding or incentive scheme, do let us know. Thanks! Read more

New Segment at SITEX to Cater to Green-Minded Consumers

Singapore, 13 October 2010 – The mounting awareness and urgent need for environment protection and the ensuing “green consumerism” worldwide have prompted businesses and governments to evaluate consumption patterns and manufacturing processes. According to German consultants Roland Berger , the global market for environmental products and services runs at around US$1,370 billion (S$1,754 billion), and by 2020, it could double to US$2,740 billion (S$3,507 billion). Considering Singapore’s ICT industry was valued at S$62.74 billion in 2009 , up from S$58.10 billion in 2008, green solutions looks set to become a central concern for this sector in the years ahead.

To align itself with the global trend towards green technologies, SITEX, Singapore’s stalwart consumer IT and electronics exhibition, is staying ahead of the competition and growing beyond its conventional boundaries and towards increasing green awareness among local technology consumers. Read more

Adopt Green IT and Green Computing Practices

Green IT or green computing usually refers to making the data centre and other IT system or equipment more energy efficient, and to reduce the environmental impacts associated with IT, such as recycling of computing equipment.

You can adopt the following Green IT practices on energy efficiency in your organisation’s data centre, energy efficient office equipment, energy saving tips and recycling of used electronic equipment. Read more

Greening the ICT industry

(This article is contributed by Mr Nick Lambert, Managing Director, Global Markets, Cable&Wireless Worldwide)

The Asia-Pacific information communications technology sector has developed at an exponential rate in the last 10 years. It is also producing a growing environmental footprint which must be managed in the long-term.

Companies the world over are beginning to look at Green IT and sustainability issues in information and communication technology (ICT), which in itself has irrevocably changed the way we work and provided us with solutions to connect, engage, and collaborate.

We see that ICT plays a dual role in being both a cause and a solution for environmental sustainability issues, with a significant amount of energy usage – which generates a large ecological footprint on one hand, and plays a vital role to help address environmental sustainability problems on the other. By recognising and addressing this delicate balance, it is our view that ICT organisations can help employ more energy-conserving ways of working. Read more

International Green IT Awareness Week

1-7 June 2010 is the inaugural International Green IT Awareness Week. In addition to encouraging individuals and organisations to host their own activities and take action on Green IT, ComputersOff.ORG will host a major virtual event from Tuesday 1 June to Thursday 3 June 2010. The virtual event will be hosted on an extensive online platform that will emulate a ‘real-life’ experience for attendees, speakers and sponsors alike.

Green IT is a goal many businesses aspire to, however, to date it has been implemented inconsistently both within organisations and across the world. Organisations are missing a centralised, cohesive initiative that will enable them to both understand the current research, enabling them to plan for the future; and learn about practical implementation of environmentally sustainable IT practices they can undertake today.

ComputersOFF.ORG wants to shine a spotlight Green IT and pave the way for organisations to initiate, promote and support green IT discussions, enabling employees with the knowledge and innovative ideas to reduce the environmental footprint of the organisation.

International Green IT Awareness Week (1st-7th June 2010) is being developed to encourage organisations during this week to bring together their IT leadership with their business managers, CFO, CEO and corporate environment managers to start the discussion around what their organisation can do to green their IT infrastructure.

On the other side, vendors across the world are working tirelessly to educate organisations on the technology available to assist them with reducing the environmental impact of their IT infrastructure and in turn reducing their carbon footprint and showing their corporate and social responsibility initiatives.

The virtual event will bring both parties together to share knowledge in a centralised and global initiative.

DATES: 1 – 3 June 2010

REGISTER NOW, ITS FREE at http://event.greenitweek.org/

More information at www.greenitweek.org

Source and image credit: ComputersOff.ORG

Green Business Times Interview – Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific

There has been growing interest in Green IT and the greening of the IT industry over the past few years. To understand more about Green IT, we have the privilege of interviewing Mr Simon Hum, Program Director, Adaptive Infrastructure, Technology Solutions Group for HP Asia Pacific and Japan.

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About Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific

HP, the world’s largest technology company that operates in more than 170 countries around the world provides printing and personal computing products and IT services, software and solutions that simplify the technology experience for consumers and businesses. We explore how technology and services can help people and companies address their problems and challenges, and realize their possibilities, aspirations and dreams. We apply new thinking and ideas to create more simple, valuable and trusted experiences with technology, continuously improving the way our customers live and work. Read more