A search for Hitachi Vantara on a sample of companies to create an eco-sustainable Data Center, he highlighted the four steps he can take.
The issues addressed during COP 28 (the 28th United Nations conference on climate change) have increased global awareness regarding sustainability objectives, commitments and activities aimed at reducing the environmental footprint. More and more considered one priority for businesses, so much so that many are choosing to put the most advanced technology at the center of their sustainability plans.
Objective to create an eco-sustainable Data Center
Hitachi Vantara research conducted in 2023 on a sample of 1,000 companies throughout the world confirmed this data. Highlighting that the four main steps that companies are taking to improve their level of sustainability are all linked to technology. They are: decarbonization of data centers, exploitation of the latest technological solutions to reduce environmental impact, transition to alternative energy sources, use of energy-efficient buildings, systems and equipment.
The four main steps
According to this same research, nearly four in five IT leaders have developed programs to achieve zero carbon emissions. Furthermore, 60% believe that creating environmentally sustainable data centers is a top priority. Also in 2023, l’International Energy Agency (IEA) found that data centers account for 1-1.5% of global consumption of electricity. Energy is needed for data storage, workload and computing power management issues, and data center IP traffic.
Then energy is necessary to power the cooling and ventilation systems – alone they represent around 30% of energy consumption – and for the functioning of the building itself. In short, it is enough to minimize the impact of IT infrastructure management to significantly contribute to the issues of environmental sustainability of companies.
The importance of the transition to sustainability
However, this is not a simple task. Even some of the companies that are most advanced on this issue still have a long way to go. In fact, the scenario is constantly evolving and there are still many unknowns. To better understand how important this is and where companies are today on the path towards sustainability, Hitachi Vantara research has identified a ranking of “eco-data leaders” drawn up based on the progress made by companies in the creation and implementation of an eco-sustainable data center.
Eco-data leader with the aim of creating an eco-friendly Data Center
The study found that eco-data leaders are more likely to associate sustainability with value creation rather than a pure regulatory compliance exercise. Building an eco-friendly data center brings more growth opportunities to the company. Increasing the ability to attract investments, meet customer expectations and optimize costs.
The opinion of large companies
On this last point, large companies (those with a turnover exceeding $10 billion) can achieve significant savings by choosing to become eco-data leaders. With annual data center operating costs of $9.8 million. By comparison, other similarly sized firms invest approximately $20.2 million, or more than double. As a result, the benefits of an efficient data center should be obvious.
A strategy supported by the cloud
Businesses are adopting numerous strategies to implement this sustainable change, one of which is data migration to the cloud. An approach used by 45% of Hitachi Vantara research participants. And while many businesses are realizing a variety of benefits from the cloud, businesses that rely on hybrid cloud solutions need to ensure that this technology can adequately contribute to a sustainable future. In fact, implementing the cloud without a solid strategy can lead to greater difficulty in monitoring carbon emissions. Furthermore, the company has less control over the measures taken to create a sustainable data center.
How to be successful
To successfully optimize your data center infrastructure and data management practices with cloud support, you need to foresee a series of actions. Such as the elimination of hot-spots and excessive use of energy, the strengthening of cooling systems and the correct disposal of electrical and electronic waste. Initiatives like these, taken to intelligently optimize workloads in your hybrid cloud setup, will help make a difference in reducing overall energy consumption.
From “nice to have” to true necessity
This transformation is most likely destined to be a turning point for companies in the short term, moving from a “nice to have” to an absolute necessity. A sustainable hybrid cloud strategy won’t just align with business goals, it will dramatically reduce energy costs. It will also optimize data management operations to improve efficiency, protect resources and substantially reduce environmental impact.
Inspire innovation and action
It is evident that the stakes is high. Thanks to the numerous benefits that can be obtained, it will be the companies that are quickest to act that will benefit the most. “Eco-data leaders” are those most likely to share responsibility for sustainability with all levels of leadership. This is something all companies can learn from. Data center sustainability must be a team effort. All c-levels should contribute to the strategy, and the same goes for external experts. Which can help map the available options using modern hybrid technologies.
Objective to create an eco-sustainable Data Center, research by Hitachi
All of this should be a process driven by the desire for innovation, not just something needed to comply with the rules. So, if migrating to the cloud is part of your plans to build a sustainable data center, you also need to think about how you can monitor emissions and how improvements can be implemented on-premise. For example, the company should use smarter approaches to make cooling systems more efficient and reduce hot-spots. Or it should increase the use of high-performance network attached storage (NAS), which allows you to store and retrieve data from a central location.
The optimal balance to achieve
There is no one approach”one and done”. Achieving an optimal balance of workload placement – destined to change as business needs evolve – and maintaining a flexible operational approach across complex environments is of fundamental importance for the success of the strategies adopted. Technological choices capable of providing the agility necessary to encourage innovation are therefore fundamental. At the same time to satisfy the immediate needs of flexible consumption capable of supporting sustainability objectives.
What top management can do
Even though top management today recognizes the need for change, not everyone is at the same stage of implementing it change. In 2024, companies should not only be clear that this transformation represents a valuable opportunity to create a better, more sustainable business. But also preparing for a future destined to be constantly transformed by technology.