Is a "Net Zero" Data Center Possible?

Posted by samzenpus on Wednesday May 30, 2012 @04:33PM from the lowering-the-power-bill dept.

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?"

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Re:How is that a test? by Sussurros · 2012-05-30 20:51 · Score: 5, Informative

It's from a book by Steve Kemper that Dean Kamen tried very hard to bury:

http://www.amazon.com/Code-Name-Ginger-Behind-Segway/dp/1578516730

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I said - don't look Ethel!..., but it was too late..., she'd already looked.