Is a "Net Zero" Data Center Possible?

miller60 writes "HP Labs is developing a concept for a 'net zero' data center — a facility that combines on-site solar power, fresh air cooling and advanced workload scheduling to operate with no net energy from the utility grid. HP is testing its ideas in a small data center in Palo Alto with a 134kW solar array and four ProLiant servers. The proof-of-concept confronts challenges often seen in solar implementations, including the array's modest capacity and a limited window of generation hours – namely, when the sun shines. HP's approach focuses on boosting server utilization, juggling critical and non-critical loads, and making the most of every hour of solar generation. Can this concept work at scale?"

Comments

ok....

[bhcompy]

Why would my datacenter want freaking banner ads all over it?

12 of these centers, spaced out evenly

[DontScotty]

At the equator... then you'd have some uptime!

Re:12 of these centers, spaced out evenly

[subreality]

I must regretfully inform you that 2/3 of the surface of the planet in question is covered in water, and it's considerably more than that along the line of the equator. Please plan to install 8 or 9 of your data centers on ships.

For the ones on land you will be choosing from Ecuador, Columbia, Brazil, Gabon, Congo, Kenya, Somalia and Indonesia. I suggest budgeting for a considerable number of guns.

I personally think people over-A/C most data centers (computers really don't care if it gets kind of warm; they only really care about temperatures that their human slaves would object to), but in these places... well, I hope you're friends with Carrier.

But all these problems can be overcome. I'm sure you'll do well with the abundant free sunshine!

Re:How is that a test?

[dbIII]

Four servers is a nerd's basement.

That's where all of HP will fit soon with their current management style.

Re:Unary

[netwarerip]

So if you get a virus in unary code is it called a unary tract infection?