Little Miss Enviro Geek : Green IT

Some personal news...

biwirth — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:24:00 GMT

Hello Dear Blog Readers,

(hmmm....that kinda sounds like the beginning of one of those SPAM emails)

I wanted to let you all know I am moving on from Microsoft and shall no longer be blogging here. I'll be moving an archive of these posts to my website http://www.greenitstrategy.com and shall continue blogging there on Green IT.

So what will I be doing now?

Well, I have decided to take some time off, write a book and maybe look into starting my own business. Regardless, you can always catch me through my website and please do feel free to visit me there.

Thank you to everyone who contacted me with their Green IT questions over the past two years and gave me feedback. I really appreciate your support and good luck with your own Green IT initiatives.

Kind Regards,

Bianca AKA Little Miss Enviro Geek

The Future Vision for Microsoft - Green IT elements

biwirth — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:05:08 GMT

When I presented at the ACS International Young ICT Conference two weeks ago, I shared a fantastic video showing the future vision for Microsoft. It has some excellent 'green' features including eInk. Around 80% of the technology in this video is already developed through Microsoft Research / Microsoft Labs.

You can view the video here: http://www.officelabs.com/projects/productivityfuturevision/Pages/default.aspx

Windows 7 Power Management Webcast

biwirth — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:10:00 GMT

There is a great webcast recording on Windows 7 power management by Stephen Berard - session extract:

"Energy efficiency and green IT are two of the most active current topics in computing. In this webcast, we detail how the Windows 7 operating system helps improve energy efficiency through new power management innovations. We illustrate how IT professionals can improve battery life and power consumption using new Windows diagnostics utilities. We also show how applications can have a dramatic impact on power consumption, and we discuss how developers can optimize applications for energy efficiency."

Click here to check it out.

TechEd: Virtualization for Sustainable Computing

biwirth — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:56:00 GMT

Yesterday I presented at TechEd Australia on Virtualization for Sustainable Computing where I took everyone who attended through the six building blocks of building a virtualized environment:

Saving Power
Eliminating Waste
Managing for High Utilisation
Power sizing Hardware
Power sizing Software
Managing for Efficiency

One of the areas I talked about that I haven't mentioned here before was the real-life example of Microsoft IT virtualizing SQL and saving a tonne of rack space, power and money by doing so. Below are two of my slides from the presentation summarising the consolidation Microsoft IT achieved within their environment:

Check out the full whitepaper here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd393309.aspx

Also some of the other resources I used in my presentation:

Harnessing the Power of Virtualization for Dynamic IT - http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/execmail/2008/01-21virtualization.mspx
Virtualization: Power, Service-Interface Compatibility, and Design - http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms998259.aspx
Virtualization: Fuelling Green Data Centres - http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd347164.aspx
Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit for Energy Efficient Computing - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/solutionaccelerators/dd537569.aspx
Planning Your Power Management and Virtualization Strategies - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2009.gr.powermanagement.aspx?pr=blog

ACS International Young ICT Professionals Conference, 3rd & 4th September

biwirth — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 05:53:18 GMT

Hello Hello! Just wanted to give you a quick post today – I am speaking at the ACS International Young ICT Professionals Conference which is being held on the 3rd and 4th of September.

My topic is “Green ICT – The Impact & Opportunities for Future ICT Leaders” so I’ll be discussing where we stand now with Green IT, where it is going and how ICT Pros can build careers and opportunities to be a part of the growing sustainability movement in technology.

You can register at: http://www.acs.org.au/youngit/2009conference/

Hope to see you there.

cheers,

R u going to TechEd 2009 in Australia? Join me.

biwirth — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:29:42 GMT

I am off to TechEd Australia again this year - this time instead of a general Green IT overview, I am going to delve into Virtualisation for Sustainable Computing. More details to follow but if you haven't yet registered for TechEd you might miss out! THERE ARE SIX TICKETS LEFT to TechEd Australia!!!! REGISTER NOW at: http://www.msteched.com/australia/Public/default.aspx

** Green IT Blogfest: Day 7: Sustainable Packaging Coalition

biwirth — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:38:00 GMT

What is it?

The Sustainable Packaging Coalition is a coalition of businesses that provided education, resources and tools to promote more environmentally sustainable packaging design, use and recycling.

What does Microsoft do with them?

Microsoft is on the executive committee for the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.

What can you do?

If you are a government agency or business with a strong interest in packaging, you can become a Sustainable Packaging Coalition Member
Review their current projects and get involved
Attend one of their Open Forum meetings in the US

More Information

Sustainable Packaging Coalition - http://www.sustainablepackaging.org/

** Green IT Blogfest: Day 6: Green IT Alliance

biwirth — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:38:00 GMT

What is it?

The Green IT Alliance (GITA) in a non-profit organisation focussing on the integration of technologies across green buildings and green IT with lab testing and real-world pilots.

What does Microsoft do with them?

Microsoft is a Platinum sponsor of GITA, providing over $250,000 worth of software to help with their projects accelerating energy efficient data centre design and green IT initiatives.

What can you do?

Attend an event that GITA will present at or attend
Attend GITA training
Join GITA to become actively engaged in research and pilot projects

More Information

Green IT Alliance - http://www.gitalliance.org/default.asp

Green IT Blogfest: Day 5: Project 2 Degrees

biwirth — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:37:00 GMT

What is it?

The Clinton Foundation and Microsoft have teamed up to help cities across the world monitor, compare and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a free web based application. Cities in a number of countries are participating including:

Chicago, US
Rotterdam, Amsterdam
Sydney, Australia

What does Microsoft do with them?

Microsoft co-developed the initiative with The Clinton Foundation.

What can you do?

Watch the Carbon Tracker demo
Read the best practices from cities around the world
Read the supporting documents for greenhouse gas measurement including the International Local Government GHG Emissions Analysis Protocol, International Energy Agency: Energy Statistics Manual, IPCC 2006 Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories and International Standards Organization (ISO) 14064 and 14065

More Information

Project 2 Degrees - http://www.project2degrees.org/Pages/Default.aspx

Microsoft and Project 2 Degrees - http://www.microsoft.com/environment/Project2Degrees.aspx

Green IT Blogfest: Day 4: EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres

biwirth — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:36:00 GMT

What is it?

The European Commission Joint Research Centre recently released their voluntary Code of Conduct for Data Centres, focussing on energy efficiency. The code consists of:

An introductory guide
The official code of conduct
Best practice guidelines

What does Microsoft do with them?

Microsoft helped to develop the code of conduct standard.

What can you do?

Register to participate in the EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres
Even if you aren't in Europe, you can read the best practices guide and implement their guidelines to gain efficiencies

More Information

EU Data Centre Energy Efficiency Code of Conduct - http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/energyefficiency/html/standby_initiative_data%20centers.htm

Green IT Blogfest: Day 3: US EPA Energy Star

biwirth — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:35:00 GMT

What is it?

The US EPA develops standards for energy efficiency across many electronics and technologies. In Australia we also adopt these standards. On the computing side, they have so far developed Energy Star for:

What does Microsoft do with them?

Microsoft is currently working with the US EPA on their Energy Star program to develop specific requirements for PCs, servers and data centres. Plus we have developed a System Centre Configuration Pack which you can download for free to identify PC settings against Energy Star standards.

In the US we are also working with them on the Energy Star Low Carbon IT Campaign, which provides free expertise, carbon and energy savings estimation, a certificate of recognition, template materials for publicity and possibly national exposure for companies that join up!

What can you do?

Buy computing and electronic devices that are Energy Star certified (see each link above in the "What is it?" section to find certified products)
If you own System Centre, download the System Centre Configuration Pack
Listen to the Energy Star podcasts
If you are in the US, find Energy Star products with rebates

More Information

Energy Star for Office Appliances - http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductCategory&pcw_code=OEF

Microsoft and Energy Star - http://www.microsoft.com/environment/energy_star.aspx

** Green IT Blogfest: Day 2: The Green Grid

biwirth — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:33:00 GMT

What is it?

The Green Grid is a consortia of industry players focussing on data centre energy efficiency. The provide information on:

Developing metrics and user-centric models
Developing and promoting adoption of energy efficiency standards, methodologies and technologies

What does Microsoft do with them?

Microsoft is a board member and active participant of The Green Grid, helping develop metrics and standards and promoting awareness of energy efficiency in the data centre.

What can you do?

Use their tools like the Data Centre Cooling Calculator I have previously blogged about
Read their newsletters, presentations, tools and whitepapers
Attend a Green Grid event
Read what others are saying on their forum
Become a Green Grid Member

More Information

The Green Grid - http://www.thegreengrid.org

Microsoft and The Green Grid - http://www.microsoft.com/environment/our_commitment/articles/green_grid.aspx

Green IT Blogfest: Day 1: Climate Savers

biwirth — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:32:00 GMT

What is it?

Climate Savers is a non-profit organisation that brings together consumers, businesses and non-government organisations (NGOs) with the goal of reducing carbon emissions from the operation of computers by 54 million tonnes per year by 2010.

What does Microsoft do with them?

Microsoft is a board member and active participant of Climate Savers.

What can you do?

Check out their "3 steps to going green" - can you tick each one of these?
Pledge your support or become a member
Stay informed by signing up to their newsletter

More Information

Climate Savers - http://www.climatesavers.org

Microsoft and Climate Savers - http://www.microsoft.com/environment/our_commitment/articles/climate_savers.aspx

Green IT Blog Festival: 7 days of what we do and stuff to help you

biwirth — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 22:27:00 GMT

Recently a document was sent out internally in Microsoft that listed all of our partnerships with government, NGOs and other industries in relation to environment and sustainability. Although the entire document will soon be posted to www.microsoft.com/environment, I thought it would great to provide you with a short and sharp summary across the top 7 partnerships that you can also participate in and get best practices and resources from.

So starting tomorrow, for 7 days I'll blog each day on these top seven initiatives!

Enjoy and feel free to share your comments with everyone here on what you have done so far.

LMEG

Excom launches Australian Green IT courses

biwirth — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:10:00 GMT

On Monday I met with the CEO & one of the Regional Managers of Excom in Australia and talked about their recent launch of a set of Green IT courses in Australia. So far they have developed three Green IT courses:

Green IT Fundamentals
Green IT: Design and Implementation
Green IT: Choosing and implementing the right carbon emission management software

For companies that need to meet NGER legislation requirements, the most interesting course will be the third one - Choosing and implementing the right carbon emission management software. With over 60 separate software packages for carbon emissions management in Australia this course will help introduce the concepts, measurement tools and software packages available or that could be custom built. Great for analysts, IT pros, or environment managers.

Hey if anyone does enrol in these courses, it would be great to hear your thoughts and comments - did you find it worthwhile or did it send you to sleep? Did you learn a number of new things? Did it help support your green IT business case?

cheers,

LMEG

Little Miss Enviro Geek : Green IT

Some personal news...

The Future Vision for Microsoft - Green IT elements

Windows 7 Power Management Webcast

TechEd: Virtualization for Sustainable Computing

ACS International Young ICT Professionals Conference, 3rd & 4th September

R u going to TechEd 2009 in Australia? Join me.

** Green IT Blogfest: Day 7: Sustainable Packaging Coalition

** Green IT Blogfest: Day 6: Green IT Alliance

** Green IT Blogfest: Day 5: Project 2 Degrees **

** Green IT Blogfest: Day 4: EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres **

** Green IT Blogfest: Day 3: US EPA Energy Star **

** Green IT Blogfest: Day 2: The Green Grid

** Green IT Blogfest: Day 1: Climate Savers **

** Green IT Blog Festival: 7 days of what we do and stuff to help you **

Excom launches Australian Green IT courses

Green IT Blogfest: Day 5: Project 2 Degrees

Green IT Blogfest: Day 4: EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres

Green IT Blogfest: Day 3: US EPA Energy Star

Green IT Blogfest: Day 1: Climate Savers

Green IT Blog Festival: 7 days of what we do and stuff to help you