Cloud computing ‘has hidden environmental costs’

Web hosting users looking to be eco-friendly may want to take note of a recent report that has suggested cloud computing has hidden environmental costs.

According to the report from JISC TechWatch, entitled Low Carbon Computing: A View to 2050 and Beyond, the network technologies that are currently used to connect those in the cloud are "highly energy inefficient".

JISC, which looks to inspire colleges and universities to UK to use digital technology in an innovative way, also warned educational institutions about their energy use. The report noted that such bodies could look to produce their own renewable energy alternatives.

It also pointed to data storage as something that will pose a major test for IT managers in the future, particularly with policy and governance having more of an impact on technology decisions these days.

"Predicting the future accurately is notoriously difficult and this is especially true for low carbon computing. One of the things the TechWatch report does is to think through the key challenges already being felt within the educational community as it tries to respond to increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions," commented Gaynor Backhouse, director of TechWatch commented.

She stressed that there are "no quick answers", but by exploring the use of future technologies in universities and colleges, the UK can make some decent headway on cutting down its energy use and remaining competitive.

According to Ms Backhouse, "the onus" is now on the public sector bodies to deliver on the "demanding targets for a low carbon future" set out by the government.

She added that universities and colleges need to work together in to bring in significantly "bigger plans for a sustainable future".

It was recently reported that planning Dumfries & Galloway Council planning officials gave the go ahead for plans for the UK’s largest data centre, which is set to use renewable energy.

Written by Jermaine Jones.