Green data storage technologies can bring greater energy efficiency to data centers

Data centers typically consume large amounts of energy to run and maintain computer systems, servers, and associated high-performance components. However, with power-saving solutions, energy monitoring software and efficient cooling systems, data centers can become more energy efficient. Using green technologies that are capable of lessening carbon footprint can lead to green data storage. It defines as the practice of integrating a variety of clean energy storage methods and products to lower a data center's carbon footprint, in addition to the cost.

There are numerous systems available out there that can be leveraged for green storage, including virtualized servers, solid-state drives (SSDs), MAID (massive array of idle disks), and others. But accomplishing energy-efficient storage requires careful consideration of a blend of products and practices with effective strategy and architecture.

Challenges to Making Transition to Green Data Storage

Ascending demands for storage and growing energy costs are creating a real challenge for businesses relying on large data storage centers. With sheer concerns over environmental impact, new data center networks (DCNs) architectures are now required to handle the rising greenhouse gas emissions produced by the ICT industry. According to the report, these DCNs typically experience an average load of not more than 25% of the peak load. Moreover, around 70% of the time, a considerable number of links remain idle within data centers. However, the links do not remain idle constantly for long periods of time.

The need for green energy and growth in data centers' performance brought about energy-efficient, green computing into the energy consumption of data centers. Green computing is considered as an efficient way of the use of resources. It is highly crucial in data centers optimization as they consume large amounts of energy. However, as every field of computing use energy which makes it the most valuable resource, there are various systems like supercomputers that consume an enormous volume of energy that is affecting the non-renewable resources.

Addressing Challenges While Making Transition

Using the right technology that can reduce power and cooling needs will be effective when making a green storage transition. Hybrid data center networks offer promising opportunities and solutions to various data center problems. Integrating wireless connectivity provides a feasible solution to extend existing DCN infrastructure, removing cabling cost, complexity, and installation. Flash storage and SSDs can assist data center managers to minimize their carbon footprint. These technologies use less power and are built with non-hazardous materials compared to spinning disks.

Moving data to the cloud can also help businesses to embrace green data storage. Almost all major cloud service providers have committed to adopting green operations. Google, for instance, promised last year that its Google Cloud service will run entirely on solar and wind energy by 2030. On the other hand, Amazon this year launched a US$2 billion Climate Pledge Fund to invest in sustainable companies and technologies that will help protect the planet.

As noted by TechTarget, Pieter VanIperen, Founder and Managing Partner at IT advisory company PWV Consultants said that the cloud relies on automation and infrastructure-as-code approaches. Cloud data centers are increasingly removing human involvement and experimenting with alternate cooling technologies.

Moreover, by removing or deleting superfluous data, enterprises can make green storage transition. Assessing their specific needs and business objectives can also help them to achieve green data storage.