Google saves on data center energy by opting for colder climates

Google saves on data center energy by opting for colder climates

Google has announced it will open its new data center in Ireland, continuing its penchant for colder countries to minimize energy costs and consumption.

The 11-acre site will be kept cool using air from outside, the same method that is used at another of the firm’s large data centre developments in Finland. Google is also planning to pump in cold water from the freezing seas around Finland to cool the data center it is developing in the country.

The issue of energy costs and consumption is growing among internet firms as they strive to minimize costs while building more and more data centers. The internet is becoming increasingly busy as a result of the move towards cloud computing and, as a result, more servers and data centres will be built.

Google is also building more and more data centres in Europe because the European Union has imposed laws that require information on European citizens to remain on the continent. The ability to use outside air-cooling instead of large power-hungry air conditioners is a major bonus.

The Ireland site is to be built for around $100 million and will create 200 jobs during the construction and 30 permanent jobs. Google is also becoming more open about its use of energy and is striving to become one of the leaders in the move to reduce energy consumption.

In August, Google released details of the energy it has consumed and the majority was used in data centres - hence the move towards more energy efficient locations. Google is also planning to generate a third of its power from renewable sources by next year.

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