Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Varche on 12 November 2019, 20:58:10

Title: Computers and global warming
Post by: Varche on 12 November 2019, 20:58:10
Could it be that cars and cows are not the whole problem.?

Everyone has a computer generating heat and powered by electricity.

Everyone is taking millions of photos all stored in something called the icloud, one drive or similar. Those servers must really be kicking out some heat.

Just a thought
Title: Re: Computers and global warming
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 13 November 2019, 00:03:38
There's a server bank in Orkney that's actually in a container on the seabed for that very reason. The servers are kept cool and the seals kept warm 8) Not sure what the polar bears make of the whole thing though...  :D
Title: Re: Computers and global warming
Post by: aaronjb on 13 November 2019, 07:41:09
Those servers must really be kicking out some heat.

A lot less than 20 years ago, per server.. although there are a lot more servers out there now, I'd wager. That said, data centres have been switching to sustainable cooling & power for some time - it's why there are a number in Iceland (geothermal power), Alaska (free cooling) etc.

Fun fact, when Facebook brought up one of their passively cooled data centres, it created its own microclimate and rained inside the building - complete with rain cloud. https://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/06/08/facebook_cloud_versus_cloud/

As DG says, various companies are experimenting with dumping container loads of computers (ok, it's slightly more complex than that - https://news.microsoft.com/features/under-the-sea-microsoft-tests-a-datacenter-thats-quick-to-deploy-could-provide-internet-connectivity-for-years/ ) into the sea. Given the thermal mass of the sea, their heat output is a literal drop in the ocean..
Title: Re: Computers and global warming
Post by: Varche on 13 November 2019, 08:15:15
I bet there are more computers than cars .  Even powered by green energy they are still contributing to global warming.

We need to get Greta on the case. Free abacuses for those scrapping their computer..
Title: Re: Computers and global warming
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 13 November 2019, 08:25:37
I bet there are more computers than cars .  Even powered by green energy they are still contributing to global warming.

We need to get Greta on the case. Free abacuses for those scrapping their computer..

There must be, each car has multiple computers in it  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Computers and global warming
Post by: Auto Addict on 13 November 2019, 09:21:02
It's why The Battery Boy doesn't put his central heating on till December ::)

Title: Re: Computers and global warming
Post by: biggriffin on 13 November 2019, 09:24:22
 I think having computers pumping out heat reduces global warming, as at this time of year we can turn the central heating down, maybe they should give these hard up pensioners a couple of servers in each room, and then the government could save millions,by withdrawal of the cold weather payments.   Win win.
Title: Re: Computers and global warming
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 13 November 2019, 12:24:53
Between the laptop, Tibetan Terrorist and a 13.5 Tog down duvet, I hardly ever have my radiator on...  :D
Title: Re: Computers and global warming
Post by: Varche on 13 November 2019, 15:13:01
I think having computers pumping out heat reduces global warming, as at this time of year we can turn the central heating down, maybe they should give these hard up pensioners a couple of servers in each room, and then the government could save millions,by withdrawal of the cold weather payments.   Win win.

 ;D ;D :y
Title: Re: Computers and global warming
Post by: TheBoy on 13 November 2019, 17:11:31
Could it be that cars and cows are not the whole problem.?

Everyone has a computer generating heat and powered by electricity.

Everyone is taking millions of photos all stored in something called the icloud, one drive or similar. Those servers must really be kicking out some heat.

Just a thought
Its a lot less than you may think, and as has been said, there has been a big push in more energy efficient (more due to energy costs than tree hugging) equipment and cooling.  Generally the same amount of energy is needed for cooling as is used for the equipment.

The DC where I'm based* - think 4 small sports halls rammed with 1U and 2U servers, along with 20U and 40U routers and bloody great storage arrays - probably uses less power now than when it had a handful of mainframes 25yrs ago.


Based as in my official office. I support no kit there (their support teams are up north), all my stuff is scattered around the country.
Title: Re: Computers and global warming
Post by: TheBoy on 13 November 2019, 17:14:05
It's why The Battery Boy doesn't put his central heating on till December ::)
No, I just have blood in my veins, and good circulation ;)

The servers we currently use - HPE ProLiant gen9 - for the load they are under, pull little more than an old lightbulb, each.
Title: Re: Computers and global warming
Post by: aaronjb on 14 November 2019, 07:57:42
It's why The Battery Boy doesn't put his central heating on till December ::)
No, I just have blood in my veins, and good circulation ;)

Teach me your tricks .. some days I could do with wearing gloves at home ;D
Title: Re: Computers and global warming
Post by: TheBoy on 14 November 2019, 18:26:13
Ensure you have plenty of built in insulation like me.

Oh, hang on a min....
Title: Re: Computers and global warming
Post by: aaronjb on 15 November 2019, 07:44:54
 :P :P