The internet is a hungry beast, it might not seem obvious at first, but it is. Online digital activities are broad and varied and have increased hugely over recent years in both our professional and personal lives. To meet the rising demand for online services, the number of global data centres has grown drastically in recent years.
This increasing consumption and creation of online data means a greater need for resources and electricity. Currently the internet is estimated to use around 1-3% of the world’s global electricity supply and data centres powered by fossil fuels are reported to be a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
Your website doesn’t have to be a part of this problem. The London based data centre which houses our Green Hosting servers, routers and cooling systems runs entirely on renewable energy purchased directly from wind, solar and hydro sources. The data centre isn’t wasteful with that green energy either and has in fact achieved a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.05, making it one of the most efficient data centres in the world. Only using as much power as you need, reducing waste and most of all designing systems that require less power reduces demand on the precious natural resources and the infrastructure that supplies it. This in turn can allow for more widespread use and potentially lower energy costs. For us, it always comes back to being part of a wider movement for positive change, for people and the planet.
The data centre can achieve this level of efficiency due to its design and build. Firstly, to keep the very hot servers cool, it employs ‘evaporative cooling’ which works by running air and water via EcoCooling units. Simply put, outside cool air is passed through water which evaporates and makes the air even cooler. On cold days (which are common in the UK), the water isn’t even needed and on hot days it can handle the strain. This type of cooling uses no refrigeration or harmful chemicals. In addition, the data centre applies ‘cold aisle containment’ which ensures that the hot air produced by the servers and the cooled air are kept separate, meaning the cooling process isn’t affected. It doesn’t stop there. During 2024-2025 this facility has plans to add its own roof mounted solar panel array, providing additional on-site renewable energy. We are very excited to be able to bring you this wonderfully green service.
Here at Green Hosting we work to make a positive impact by diverting websites and e-mail services (over 500 to date) away from fossil fuel powered hosting services to our 100% renewable energy powered service. Additionally, we continue to promote renewable energy hosting and our clients who choose it.
Switching to Green Hosting means that our clients’ websites are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but that’s not all; Together through our consumer power we are sending a strong message to utility and data centre companies that website owners want more clean energy.
Last reviewed 24/01/2025
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