On-Site WInd Power Provides 100% of Power to Data Center

From EcoGeek.org by 03-12-2009

We've heard of data centers that are running on green power, though these are often mostly done through buying credits for distant generating facilities. But Woodstock, IL-based Other World Computing is the first to have 100% on-site wind power to run its operations. The 39 meter (128 foot) diameter, 500 kW turbine is expected to generate an estimated 1,250,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year. This is more than twice as much electricity as is used by all of OWC's operations. The facility is grid-tied, and will sell the excess power back to the local utility, as well as being able to utilize grid power as backup during slack wind periods.

Not only is this facility generating more electricity than it needs, the that houses OWC is also anticipating LEED Platinum certification. A few of the features of the building include energy efficient ground-source heat pump systems for heating and cooling, rooftop fiber-optic light harvesting for lighting, occupancy sensors, water efficient fixtures throughout, and a company-wide recycling program. An interactive map gives more detail about all of the various ways they have optimized the facility to reduce resource use and improve energy efficiency.

Some purists might complain that OWC's operations are not exclusively wind powered because of the grid connection and its use as a backup system. However, grid distribution of the excess power produced by the turbine, and the occasional reliance on the grid for backup power are far better use of materials and than what would be required in order to have on-site storage needed to operate entirely off the grid.

via: Building Energy Performance News

 

Leave a Reply

Related Posts

Another year, another COP. What will be the results? At this stage more questions than answers.
World leaders gathering for the 28th Conferences of the Parties (COPs) in a milestone moment as nations for the first time formally review progress since the Paris Agreement 2015.
When a building is demolished and rebuilt, it results in what can be termed as ‘double emissions’. This is because two sets of construction materials are required – one for the original building and another for the new structure.
We are doing composting to add nutrients to the soil, adding microbes and attracting worms, providing a healthy soil that has good moisture retention and grows healthy and strong plants, it’s all about soil health.
The Green Building Council did commission a report to explore the embodied carbon of New Zealand’s buildings and potential reduction potentials. Obviously, buildings may vary greatly in their embodied carbon but this is some average assumptions.
A little car with lots of potential and a cult community – for good reasons. They are efficient and keep going, easy care and maintenance. And now they prove to be future proof as well as they can simply be