icee-2010 july 18–22, 2010, gliwice, poland 1 green it issues in engineering and computing from...

ICEE-2010 July 18–22, 2010, Gliwice, Poland 1

Green IT Issues in Engineering and Computing from European and Global Perspective

Dr James UhomoibhiFaculty e-learning Co-ordinator, University of Ulster, UK

Chair of the BCS e-Learning Specialist Group

Email: [email protected],

Bob Crooks,

Chair of BCS GreenIT SG and Defra CIOD Lead on Green IT;

Colin Pattinson,

Leeds Metropolitan University, UK,

Email: [email protected]

and

Margaret RossProfessor at Southampton Solent University, UK

Vice-Chair of the BCS e-Learning and GreenIT Specialist Groups

Email: [email protected]


Growth in computer use, by

•Business

•Education

•Students

•End users

•Home users


Growth in Carbon Footprint, by

•Computers

•Planes

•Electrical equipment


Need to reduce, at low or zero cost

•Carbon footprint

•Power usage

•Water usage


Need to raise awareness of

•Home users,

•End users

•Managers

•Organisations


Raising awareness in organisations

•Need a sponsor

•Monitoring and measuring usage of power etc

•Awareness campaigns


Examples

Example of power usage from Carbon Footprint •A computer left on 24/7 will cost about £37 a year, whereas by

switching off at night and weekends, the charge can be reduced to about £10 a year - enough energy to make some 34,900 cups of coffee

•A PC monitor switched off overnight saves enough energy to microwave six dinners

•Turning off all non essential equipment in an office for one night will save enough energy to run a small car for 100 miles

A Survey by Logicalis indicated that 85% of employees switch off their home PC when they have finished with it, whereas only 66% turn off work machines after use


Use visual displays

•Posters

•Stack of used cartridges used within one month

•Large statue such as WEEE Man


Encourage good practice

•Discourage use of screen savers as they use the same power as the active monitor

•Encourage double-sided printing

•Move the printer further away from the desks to discourage unnecessary printing

•Print cartridges refill versa replacement with new cartridge


Storage

•Reduce unnecessary saving

•Remove unnecessary copiers

•Reduce servers, so reducing the cost of cooling


E-learning

The advantages

•Less cost

•Faster responses

•Automatic check for spelling, grammar and plagiarism

Learning and e-learning

•Track changes to annotate notes

Submit work of online

•Mark work with track changes


Other E-savings - e-cards

Advantages

•Low cost

•Faster delivery,

•Some are free

•Can be personalised

Disadvantages

•Not permanent as time limit on some e-cards

•Requires IT power of sender and recipient


Other E-savings - e-weddings

•Invitation by the cards

•E-mail responses

•Digital photographs

•Use Wedding website with all photos for guests to download their choices


Non-standard working times at offices

•Reduce rooms used in evenings/weekends

•Reduced cost of power, heating, air-conditioning

•Reduce cost of security

•Improved security for staff


BCS Specialist Groups, include

•Data Centre Specialist Groups concerned with operations

•Green IT Specialist Group concern to with end-users and management

•E-learning Specialist Group


BCS Qualifications

Data Centre Diploma

•Based on understanding of EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres

•Multi-choice questions

•No requirement to attend a course


BCS Qualifications

•Aimed at end-users, teachers and home users

•Multi-choice questions

•Three-day courses available


BCS Conferences and Green Model

INSPIRE conferences [http://get.to/inspire ]

•Aimed at academics, trainers and those interested in improving the quality of computer education.

• Included strong e-learning and GreenIT streams.

•Attendance at these small specialised conferences are from all parts of the world.

•Organised by BCS e-learning SG and BCS Quality SG

Software Quality Management (SQM) conferences [http://go.to/sqm ]

•Aims to promote co-operation and greater understanding among practitioners and academics by providing an opportunity to share research and practical experience.


Green Model – Level 2

•Recycling paper and cartridges

•Sign indicating switching off of lights/machines

•Timing out of machines

•Double-glazed windows

•Use of recycling of output (paper etc)

•Arranging time/shifts/meetings to encourage car-sharing/alternative travel arrangements

•Encourage teleworking as appropriate, understand the need for advice and training, and be aware of the possible negative greening aspects

•Monitor final disposal of equipment

•Understand the basic measurement of carbon footprint

•Measure the use of electricity etc



•Purchase of recycled paper

•Design Data centres for changing from air cooling to water cooling (building with suitable plumbing and floor strength)

•Online conference facilities to reduce travel

•Taking account of greening issues when purchasing goods (manufacturing, running and disposal)

•Company cars chosen with greening considerations (energy efficiency, increased time before replacement etc)

•Consider location (transportation of components etc) and method of manufacture of goods

•Consider if updates necessary (requiring full replacement or only parts)

•Require to see greening of suppliers/outsourcers, and final outsourcers

•Collection and monitor relevant data, identifying trends (power usage etc)



•Heat to be re-used for the building

•Water cooling of servers

•Check carbon footprint on staff travel

•Consider energy efficiency and carbon footprint in the manufacturing of equipment

•Consider energy efficiency and carbon footprint in the delivery of equipment

•Consider energy efficiency and carbon footprint in the running of equipment

•Consider the distance for the delivery of spare parts and servicing of equipment

•Free advice/help on greening of teleworkers' homes,



•Monitor policy for greening and recycling by suppliers

•Monitor policy full greening and recycling by outsourcers including their final outsourcers

•Check and require proof of the implementation of the policies for primary and secondary suppliers

•Check and require proof of the implementation of the policies for outsourcers and their suppliers and supply chain

•Maintain quantitative data records

•Maintain an Action Plan for greening improvement



•Generate own power (solar power, wind turbines etc)

•Use surplus heat outside the organisation

•Free advice/help on greening of employees' homes

•Free advice and help on greening issues to suppliers

•Free advice on greening issues to customers

•Action Plan to be regularly reviewed and updated

•Constantly looking for methods to improve greening within the organisation and beyond


Higher Education in the UK

•Higher Education has an essential role in the raising of awareness of green issues in the community

•Students from our colleges and universities are most likely to lead public opinion in the future


GreenIT as degree courses

•GreenIT is now part of many BSc and MSc courses

•Leeds Metropolitan University, developed a Master of Science (MSc) in Green Computing

•Each module is based around a 2-day intensive seminar programme, after directed reading and suggested research activities.


MSc in Green Computing

Course content:

•Review of the tools and techniques which allow us to measure the current state of an organisation’s IT energy use

•Identifies the opportunities for IT to make a difference

•Considers the legal, regulatory and ethical drivers to energy efficiency

•Determines a strategy for the adoption of greener IT practices in an organization

•Undertakes a research orientated dissertation


Conclusion

Although many of the activities could produce minor savings,

•In cost, in Carbon Footprint etc,

•The combination of these could make a difference.

Advantages of Green IT include:

•Enhanced Reputation (Green image)

•Feel Good factor (making a difference)

•Reduce energy bills (Carbon comes from energy and energy costs money)

•Reduce future energy requirements

icee-2010 july 18–22, 2010, gliwice, poland 1 green it issues in engineering and computing from...

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