Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 5
Greener Data Centres
in the Netherlands
Theo Thiadens
Fontys University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands
Marko Dorenbos
Fontys University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands
Andries Kasper
Fontys University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands
Anda Counoutte-Potman
Open University, The Netherlands
ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the current situation regarding green data centres in the Netherlands is mapped. The
chapter successively goes through the entire chain of processes that are needed for arriving at greener
data centres. The chapter starts with the legislators. It continues with the procurement of IT. It discusses
the design of facilities required for a data centre and the ICT provisions as used by this data centre. It
looks at the analysis of the degree of sustainability in data centres and the measures that need to be taken
as a result of this. And it concludes by describing how ICT equipment could be recycled.
The conclusion of this chapter is that in the year 2009, the norms in this field are not yet fully present;
that by making use of these norms in procurement, buyers will be able to arrive at more sustainable
ICT; that from the current situation, consolidation alone could without any problem, enable achieve-
ment of the long-term agreement between the Dutch ICT trade organization and the Dutch government,
an agreement in which over a period of 25 years starting in 2005, 2% less energy should be used every
year; that every data centre needs to map its energy consumption and sustainability systematically, and
that in 2009, over 50% over the annually installed ICT equipment in the Netherlands is recycled.
