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More sustainable IT

laptop in grass

Energy management and sustainability of the University's IT systems are key areas of focus for Information Services (INSRV). Moreover, INSRV works in partnership with Advanced Research Computing @ Cardiff (ARCCA) to deliver joined-up, more sustainable IT systems and solutions across the spectrum of IT needs.

A raft of energy saving initiatives has been implemented, saving the University energy, resources and money, while also reducing our carbon emissions.

  

The Cardiff University System for PC Power-saving (CUSPP)

INSRV has implemented a new system for automatically powering down PCs which are running the University standard image of Windows, 15 minutes after they are logged out. 

The system was developed by staff in Information Services, using standard Microsoft and Novell software for deployment. Unlike proprietary solutions, INSRV has implemented its system essentially free of charge. 

The system saves a conservative estimate of £100,000 per year in energy costs and saves around 500 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Flat screen monitors

Flat screen monitors have been introduced across campus. These consume a maximum of around 35 watts of power – much less than the 75 watts used by the former larger monitors, saving the University an estimated £100,000 per year and another 500 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Purchasing and recommending greener PCs

Information Services' new standard workstations are based on dual core CPUs. These PCs consume around half the energy of the standard 2008 workstation. Similar figures also apply to newer servers. INSRV also recommends more efficient power supplies for purchase. Please contact us for more details.

For large numbers of PCs for open access use (in University open access IT rooms and libraries), the suppliers remove all packaging for re-use as part of the order.

The international standard EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) and Energy Star criteria are now used in negotiating contracts with the University's preferred PC suppliers. Environmental criteria are considered during the selection process for network equipment.

Screensavers in the standard windows image

Some screensavers use a surprisingly large amount of power – sometimes up to around 20W per workstation – while the machine is switched on but not being used. Generally screensavers give little or no benefit when used with modern flat panel PC monitors. INSRV has implemented the "Windows XP" screensaver, which uses almost no power, in the current standard University Windows image. See also PC monitor power management, below.

PC monitor power management

INSRV has implemented a default setting in the standard University Windows image that turns the monitor off after 20 minutes of inactivity for users who remain logged in. The monitor turns back on when the PC is used again.

All Apple computers already have default power saving settings that will turn off the display and put systems to sleep after just 10 minutes of inactivity. Even before these measures are triggered, systems will also actively scale processor performance, dim the display and spin-down hard disks. 

Mac users should keep all these default settings in place to maximise power efficiency.

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Server virtualisation

Moving University IT services to a much smaller number of physical servers is saving physical hardware (and space) and will save an estimated £370,000 between 2009-2012 in energy costs, or around £100,000 and 500 tonnes of CO2 per year. There will be an additional saving of almost £800,000 in hardware costs, as well as major reductions in landfill and in the embodied energy of the hardware in manufacture, shipping and disposal.

Planet Filestore

Planet Filestore is an internationally-leading project to investigate more sustainable data storage, including storage which is more energy efficient and requires less physical space. The Planet Filestore project, funded by JISC, has now produced its final report. 

StorC

StorC (Storage Calculator) is a follow-on project to Planet Filestore, also funded by JISC. The StorC project has created a web-based modelling tool designed to help as many institutions as possible calculate the energy and financial savings that could be derived from greener file storage technology, such as that demonstrated in the Planet Filestore project. 

ARCCA datacentre
The ARCCA datacentre

The ARCCA supercomputer and datacentre are designed to maximise efficiency and minimise electricity consumption in almost every component. The datacentre has also been recognised so far in three environmental award commendations and nominations. 

The datacentre was designed in partnership between ARCCA, Information Services, and the University's Estates division, and procured in partnership with the University's Purchasing division.

Highly efficient uninterruptable power supplies

INSRV is deploying highly efficient uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) to maximise efficiency in powering the University's central IT servers.

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More sustainable ways of working

Information Services seeks to maximise the positive impact of the University's use of IT to support more sustainable modes of working, including:

  • Providing Video-conferencing services which enable virtual meetings - saving time, money and reducing transport needs. Teleconferencing (telephone conferencing) services are also available.
  • Providing Learning Central with support from the Student Registry:
    • Handouts and slides are now posted on Learning Central and are available for students to view online during their whole time at the University, negating the need for the lecturer to duplicate and print them out year on year
    • Formative tests can be carried out online which means that students do not need to be on campus to take tests and there is no need to print out questions and model answers each year
    • It is also possible for students to discuss their work either live or asynchronously from their residences using the Learning Central collaboration tools
  • Developing and maintaining the University's sustainability website in partnership with colleagues across the institution. This website promotes the University's world-leading research and teaching in sustainability, making a major contribution to further positive change in the wider world. The website also gives more hints and tips on working and living more sustainably.
recycling icon
Recycling and extending the life of IT equipment

INSRV is working with our IT suppliers and waste contractors to recycle as much as possible of our IT waste according to the WEEE regulations. Our main IT recycling contractor (RM) undertakes to recycle and reuse at least 98.5% of the waste received. We are also working in partnership with other University directorates to share best practice, minimise landfill and maximise recycling and efficiency in this area.

Ethical initiatives

INSRV has also taken initiatives in the wider sustainability and ethical arena:

  • INSRV's standard tender document template includes a section on Ethical and Environmental considerations
  • INSRV has also donated PCs (which were no longer of the required University specification) to schools in the developing world, where they have been well-used
  • There are now over 70 members of the ethical, Fairtrade, environmentally sustainable and socially responsible "BS6008 Tea Club" within INSRV.
Knowledge transfer

Wherever possible, INSRV seeks the reciprocal sharing of good practice in IT and information services in order to improve everyone's environmental impact. Initiatives include