How Telehouse protects the environment
Providing access to data around the clock requires a constant and reliable supply of electricity. Data Centres (DCs) are sometimes mistaken as electricity-sapping buildings, yet the reality is that Telehouse and the wider industry are going to great lengths to operate as cleanly and efficiently as possible.
At Telehouse, we are proud to be playing our part in protecting the environment while delivering vital DC services. Our commitment to the environment is underpinned by first understanding how energy efficient our operations are. Using the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) index, we can measure our energy efficiency by dividing the amount of power entering into the DC by the power used to run the computer infrastructure within it.
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From here, the journey towards identifying efficiency projects and improvements can be effectively measured. For this, we have established our own dedicated, competent energy and sustainability teams to wean out efficiencies across our operations and ensure those improvements are achieved. These teams are pivotal in developing our own internal environmental strategies and policies.
Our environmental commitment: clean and renewable energy sources
One key policy we are proud to have implemented is the sourcing of electricity from only 100% renewable sources, such as wind and solar power. Addressing where your energy comes from is one of the most crucial steps in operating a clean energy infrastructure and by doing so we have significantly lowered our carbon footprint.
Balancing cost and upgrading to more efficient technologies to support the UK’s low carbon future are significant challenges for the DC industry. With hundreds, sometimes thousands of servers generating heat around the clock, cooling is the second largest power consumer in DCs after servers. This is why we utilise market leading cooling technology meaning our DCs operate efficiently from the outset, requiring far less electricity than older systems.
Going above and beyond
At Telehouse we also believe that best practice energy efficiency measures must include adopting appropriate international ISO standards in Environment and Energy management (ISO 14001:2015 & ISO 50001:2018). These allow us to measure and report energy use and efficiency through the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) or equivalent, contractually through Climate Change Agreements.
Some DCs are doing this by obligation through regulatory schemes such as EU ETS (EU Emissions Trading Scheme which captures Scope 1 emissions), ESOS (Energy Saving Opportunities Scheme) and SECR (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting).
At Telehouse, we choose to actively participate in voluntary standards, regulations and frameworks because we recognise their value in increasing our energy performance and reducing energy expenditure for operators and customers. We also choose to adhere to non-voluntary guidelines such as the EU Code of Conduct for DCs (Energy Efficiency) which provide DC operators with more than 150 recommendations for improving efficiency.
A sustainable industry
The DC industry has made some truly momentous achievements when it comes to operating to cleaner, greener standards. While the industry can sometimes be painted in a negative light, we should be proud of the industry’s environmental achievements which can often go unrecognised.
Delivering solutions that protect the environment while providing the best possible value and service to all users is no easy feat, but at Telehouse we will continue to work alongside regulators and industry bodies to keep refining and improving our commitment to keeping the digital economy clean.
Contact us
Telehouse International Corporation of Europe, Coriander Avenue, London, E14 2AA
T: +44 (0) 20 7512 0550
E: [email protected]