As of 2022, more than half of enterprise data will be stored in the cloud, and the demand for cloud storage has never been higher. This has triggered extreme energy consumption across the data center industry, resulting in significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Worryingly, the European Commission currently estimates that EU data center energy use will increase from 2.7% of total EU demand to 3.2% by 2030. This would make the industry’s emissions almost as polluting as international aviation in the European Union.
Still, it’s important to remember that cloud storage is still more sustainable than other alternatives.
Why should we consider cloud storage sustainable?
It’s important to understand the energy used by cloud storage and consider the energy it can save elsewhere. With file storage and sharing services, teams can collaborate and work from anywhere, eliminating the need for large offices and daily commutes.
As a result, businesses can reduce their workspace and reduce the environmental impact of employee travel. In fact, it’s estimated that working from home four days a week can reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions by about 10%.
In addition, cloud storage reduces dependence on physical local servers.For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), owning on-site servers or their own data center can be very expensive, while operating and cooling the equipment requires a lot of energy, which means more CO22 emission.
On the other hand, cloud servers offer a more efficient alternative. Unlike a local server, which may only use a fraction of its capacity, a cloud server in a data center can be used more efficiently. Because virtualization technology allows a single physical server to act as multiple virtual servers, they typically run at higher capacities.
Each virtual server can be used by different businesses, meaning fewer physical units are needed overall. This means less energy is required for power and cooling, reducing overall emissions.
Additionally, local servers often have more storage and computing power than is needed to handle occasional spikes in demand, which is an inefficient use of resources. In contrast, cloud data centers aggregate large numbers of devices to manage these peaks more efficiently.
In 2022, the average power consumption efficiency of data centers will increase. This shows that cloud providers are using energy more efficiently and helping companies reduce their carbon footprint through cloud storage.
Sustainable Transformation: Three Steps to Create Green Cloud Storage
Importantly, there are ways to further improve the sustainability of services such as cloud storage, and energy savings of 30-50% can be achieved through green strategies. So, how does ordinary cloud storage transform into green cloud storage? We believe there are three basic steps.
First, businesses should carefully consider location. This means choosing a cloud storage provider that is close to power facilities. This is because distance matters. If electricity travels a long distance between generation and use, some of it is lost. In addition, data centers located in cooler climates or underwater environments can reduce the energy required for cooling.
Next, companies should ask green suppliers what steps they are taking to reduce their environmental impact. For example, using wind, solar or biofuels to power their operations minimizes reliance on fossil fuels and thereby reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Some facilities will be equipped with large battery banks to store renewable energy and ensure a continuous, environmentally friendly supply of electricity.
Last but not least, technology offers powerful ways to enhance the energy efficiency of cloud storage. Some vendors have been investing in algorithms, software and hardware designed to optimize energy use. For example, introducing frequency scaling or artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms can significantly improve the way data centers manage power consumption and cooling.
For example, Google used DeepMind AI to reduce its data center cooling costs by 40%, a prime example of how smart systems can achieve greater sustainability.
As the world warms accelerating, choosing a cloud storage provider with a clear commitment to sustainability can make a big difference. In fact, major cloud providers such as Google, Microsoft and Amazon have taken steps to make their cloud services more environmentally friendly, such as committing to switching to 100% renewable energy.
Cloud storage without climate costs
The impact of the cloud on businesses is undeniable, but our digital growth could lead to an unsustainable future with serious environmental consequences. However, companies should not have to choose between innovation and the planet.
The answer lies in green cloud storage. By using providers powered by renewable energy, efficient data centers and innovative technologies, businesses can reap the benefits of the cloud without incurring devastating energy taxes.
Now is the time to take action. The onus is on businesses to choose green cloud storage and become part of the solution, not part of the problem. By making the shift today, we can ensure that the cloud remains a convenient refuge rather than a culprit in climate change.
Check out the upcoming Cloud Transformation Conference, a free virtual event for business and technology leaders to explore the evolving cloud transformation landscape. Book your free virtual ticket to gain insight into the practicalities and opportunities of cloud adoption. Learn more here.
