# Data Center Energy Savings Through Modernization

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/03/data-center-energy-savings-through-modernization/
- Published: 2011-03-30T14:27:14-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## NYSERDA, Con Edison, and IBM Help New York Companies Cut Data Center Costs

In March 2011, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
announced a major initiative to help businesses slash data center energy costs. 
Partnering with Con Edison and IBM, the program aimed to save New York companies
an estimated $80 million over ten years.

Moreover, this effort targeted one of the biggest hidden energy drains in modern
business: data centers. These facilities demand enormous power to run servers and
cooling systems, making them prime candidates for efficiency upgrades.

### Reducing Energy Waste and Costs

The program offered New York businesses incentives and technical support to modernize
data center operations. As a result, companies could install energy-efficient servers,
upgrade cooling systems, and optimize data storage.

At the same time, IBM provided advanced tools to assess energy use and identify 
improvements. Con Edison and NYSERDA offered financial incentives to make upgrades
affordable. Therefore, businesses could cut costs while shrinking their carbon footprints.

![Modern data center aisle with energy efficient server racks and a technician using
a tablet to inspect systems](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/
2011/03/95827BFA-0BEF-4F26-98B0-0E118F7C41C4.png?resize=780%2C520&quality=50&ssl
=1 "Modern data center aisle with energy-efficient server racks and a technician
using a tablet to inspect systems. - The Green Living Guy")

Upgrading data centers with efficient technology helps New York companies cut energy
use and reduce costs

### Saving Money While Cutting Carbon Emissions

According to NYSERDA, the average data center used up to 100 times more energy per
square foot than a typical office building. Even worse, inefficient designs wasted
much of that power. By [investing in new technology](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/09/smart-building-energy-analytics-segment-leads-smart-building-technology-market/)
and smarter layouts, companies could reduce consumption by up to 40%.

Moreover, those savings translated directly to lower operating costs and reduced
greenhouse gas emissions. NYSERDA said the $80 million in projected savings came
from cutting over 40 megawatts of demand from the power grid.

### Building a Greener Business Sector

The initiative demonstrated how public-private partnerships could drive real change.
By combining utility incentives, state support, and IBM’s technical expertise, New
York created a model for tackling energy challenges in a fast-growing sector.

At the same time, it helped businesses remain competitive. Lower energy costs meant
lower expenses, freeing up funds for other investments. Even better, companies could
market their greener, more sustainable operations to customers and investors.

### Investing in New York’s Clean Energy Future

Ultimately, NYSERDA’s program showed that saving energy wasn’t just good for the
environment. It also made strong economic sense. By helping data centers modernize,
New York was investing in a cleaner, more efficient, and more competitive future.

For more details on energy efficiency programs, visit:

 * [NYSERDA Official Website](https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/)
 * U.S. Department of Energy – Data Center Energy Efficiency

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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