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

1. Green IT Issues in Engineering and Computing from European and Global Perspective Dr James Uhomoibhi Faculty e-learning Co-ordinator, University of Ulster, UK Chair of the BCS e-Learning Specialist Group Email: j.uhomoibhi@ulster.ac.uk, Bob Crooks, Chair of BCS GreenIT SG and Defra CIOD Lead on Green IT; Colin Pattinson, Leeds Metropolitan University, UK, Email: c.pattinson@leedsmet.ac.uk and Margaret Ross Professor at Southampton Solent University, UK Vice-Chair of the BCS e-Learning and GreenIT Specialist Groups Email: margaret.ross@solent.ac.uk

2. Growth in computer use, by • Business • Education • Students • End users • Home users

3. Growth in Carbon Footprint, by • Computers • Planes • Electrical equipment

4. Need to reduce, at low or zero cost • Carbon footprint • Power usage • Water usage

5. Need to raise awareness of • Home users, • End users • Managers • Organisations

6. Raising awareness in organisations • Need a sponsor • Monitoring and measuring usage of power etc • Awareness campaigns

7. 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

8. Use visual displays • Posters • Stack of used cartridges used within one month • Large statue such as WEEE Man

9. 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

10. Storage • Reduce unnecessary saving • Remove unnecessary copiers • Reduce servers, so reducing the cost of cooling

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. BCS Qualifications • Aimed at end-users, teachers and home users • Multi-choice questions • Three-day courses available

18. 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.

19. 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

20. Green Model – Level 3 • 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)

21. Green Model – Level 4 • 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,

22. Green Model – Level 4 • 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

23. Green Model – Level 5 • 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

24. 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

25. 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.

26. 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

27. 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