When you think of the Internet society, what is the first impression in your mind? Countless optical fibers and network cables connecting computer terminals? Change people’s way of life? Today the internet industry doesn’t even want to be compared to the aviation industry or the car manufacturing industry, which produces a lot of CO2, instead they want to be part of the solution.
In terms of carbon emissions, the Internet telecommunications industry and the aviation industry are actually close in nature. In 2007, the world’s Electronic equipment (including personal computers, peripherals, telecommunications networks and equipment, and company data centers) produced 830 million tons of carbon dioxide, accounting for about 2 percent of all human emissions, the report said. Even with the application of more energy-efficient technologies, the figure is expected to rise to 1.4 billion tonnes in 2020. While personal computers, mobile phones and the Internet are the main sources of emissions (about 56% of emissions), emissions from data centers, the foundation of the information industry, are growing the fastest.
At the same time, the Internet telecommunications industry has played the responsibility of improving the efficiency of other industries and reducing energy emissions. The report pointed out that by 2020, the Internet telecommunications industry can help other industries reduce 7.8 billion tons of carbon emissions, which is equivalent to five times the carbon footprint of the Internet telecommunications industry itself. A well-known case is to replace face-to-face meetings with low-carbon video conferences, which will reduce the large carbon emissions caused by aviation demand. John Chambers, chief executive of Cisco, a major maker of networking equipment, said his company has reduced its carbon footprint by 11 percent by using its own “electronic” equipment. He added that it also increases efficiency and saves management time and effort.
As the leader of domestic Internet data centers, 21Vianet has also made important innovations in the field of data center energy conservation and emission reduction. According to 21Vianet experts, the overall solution for 21Vianet container data center is divided into two categories: one is the overall solution for large-scale data centers, which encapsulates IT equipment in containers, including servers, UPS, and generators. One is a solution for small data centers, but it is divided into three boxes, which encapsulate IT equipment; power supply; UPS generator. Customers can “deploy on demand”.
At the same time, the outside of the “Cloud Cube” container data center is installed with thermal insulation materials, so that there is no condensation in winter and no leakage of cold energy in summer. The interior adopts a high-density modular structure design, and the same space can accommodate six times the number of cabinets in a traditional data center; and the fresh air fan is only turned on when personnel enter the box, which not only ensures the comfort of the operator, but also shortens the fresh air fan. of running time. And the cold and hot aisles are completely sealed, which reduces the consumption of cold air, greatly improves the power utilization rate, and reduces the power consumption of a large number of non-computing use.
When an industry has reached a common criterion, the greatest synergy can be formed. The tech industry’s contribution to combating climate change may come from both the standards it sets and the advanced equipment it provides. Here, we hope that the emergence of the “Cloud Cube” container data center can make a useful attempt for the Internet telecommunications industry to save energy and reduce emissions!