CenturyLink shows their commitment to going green in IT with their latest exciting data center news. They’ve made strides in reducing their ecological footprint with the latest data center, located in Moses Lake, Washington.
There are several significant features of the new data center location. Most intriguing is the placement of nearby Columbia River dams, which provide 85% of the facility’s power. The Wanapum and Priest Rapids dams are poised to contribute up to 30 megawatts (mW) of hydroelectric power, building from the initial 9mW.
Hydroelectric power is inexpensive, costing less than traditional forms of electric power. It’s also significantly more reliable than solar or wind because it’s not susceptible to fickle changes in weather patterns. Washington state boasts the lowest energy costs in the nation due to their reliance on dam-fueled energy; more than 70% of the state’s energy production is hydroelectric.
In addition, the center’s location benefits from the mild local climate – which translates to greater energy reductions born from lower heating and cooling costs. This data center will provide cloud and disaster recovery support; the stability of the local environment ensures this vital center will remain open. The area is free of most natural disaster, with no tornadoes, hurricanes, or flooding to interrupt its reliability.
The latest data center is not the only green IT decision CenturyLink has made recently. They’ve also begun deploying solid oxide fuel cells, or SOFCs, to help power a multi-tenant data center located in Southern California. This multi-tenant location benefits from a highly efficient and inexpensive fuel cell technology developed by Bloom Energy. Incredibly heat-resistance and ceramic production provides units capable of withstanding incredibly high heats, thus ensuring reliability even in tough environments and preventing significant energy loss, they also are cost-effective.
Washington State is poised to see more growth for businesses going green in IT. They offer the right mix of environment and resources to create a green IT haven. A great local talent pool, inexpensive, reliable, and energy-efficient power within a disaster-free location with a highly skilled talent pool and plenty of available space. CenturyLink’s continued commitment to the environment makes it no surprise they choose to build there. Keep your eye trained on the region for more green IT data center news.
