INDUSTRY WATCH
LOOKING AT THE ENTIRE SUPPLY CHAIN AND TRYING TO DECARBONISE IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IS ESSENTIAL .
mean that the data centre needs to be designed more effectively and today we have tools and technologies by which we can design data centres both efficiently and sustainably . For example , through Schneider ’ s Green Premium products , we provide detailed information on regulatory compliance , material content , environmental impacts , circularity attributes , etc .
What advice would you offer organisations that wish to take their first steps towards more sustainable operations ?
We like to look at it as a five-step process . The first step is to create an in-house sustainability team with clear roles and KPIs across different functions of the organisation . Then , consider using the expertise of a data centre consultant to outline the strategy and identify some potential solutions .
We should try and partner with the anchor tenants to develop those strategies because that ’ s important in the data centre space . Driving standards is also important , and finally considering making sure that the partners you are working with are also focused on the same sustainability ambitions .
Pankaj Sharma , Executive Vice President –
Secure Power Division , Schneider Electric
So , if you choose technologies and solutions with that level of Green Premium , you can build infrastructure which is highly sustainable . The other tools which we use , for example , include Schneider Electric ’ s Data Center & Edge Global Energy Forecast . This offers a very simple view for our users to model out their potential global energy consumption based on their estimated data centre and Edge Computing deployments .
We also have Data Centre Infrastructure Management ( DCIM ) software which can aid in providing greater visibility to help maintain sustainable operations .
Can you share any recent examples of sustainability projects that your company has been involved with , across Europe ?
We have worked with a number of customers across the region . One example is with Newcastle City Council in the UK , where we helped it implement a modernisation and consolidation programme for the new e-government strategy , which aimed to deliver digital services to almost 300,000 citizens . We modernised the existing data centre capacity , upgraded its physical infrastructure including UPS , racks , enclosures , containment and deployed EcoStruxure management software , which helps ensure service continuity , reduces energy consumption and enables its power and cooling systems to be operated with optimum energy efficiency .
How can organisations across the region prepare a long-term sustainability strategy ?
It ’ s a combination of a holistic environmental sustainability strategy and at Schneider Electric , we believe there are five tenets to get to this position . It starts with setting up a bold and actionable strategy , followed by implementing the most efficient data centre designs .
Then , when operating the data centre , there must be a focus on efficiency . Buying renewable energy is also absolutely crucial , and in Europe there are many places where you can access renewables .
The fact remains that globally , the grid still consists of almost 75 % fossil fuel , which means that even if you ’ re building the best design from an infrastructure perspective , if you ’ re still sourcing fossil fuel-based energy , there ’ s another area you can address , so moving towards renewable energy is another important focus .
Then it ’ s important to decarbonise the supply chain , which means addressing Scope 1 , 2 and 3 emissions . It ’ s always important to look at where you are in terms of where you ’ re sourcing and how you ’ re supplying , so looking at the entire supply chain and trying to decarbonise it as much as possible is essential .
Then there are other examples like the EcoDataCenter , which we are very proud of . This is a very low carbon design . It ’ s almost 1.15 in PUE , which is by far one of the best in the industry . It is looking at reducing CO 2 each year by almost 275,000 metric tonnes and is generating almost 400,000 megawatts out of clean , carbon free electricity per year .
In light of COP26 , many companies and countries are looking to achieve net zero emissions . However , the ambitions differ from region to region . We have 10 years to take significant action and begin to drive change . The next generation is going to play a crucial role and it is the responsibility of us all , both in the industry and outside of it , to take sustainable action now . p
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