# Cloud Computing : Balancing Efficiency and Ecology - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/11/cloud-computing-balancing-efficiency-and-ecology/ - Published: 2011-11-09T03:52:35-05:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ## Cloud Computing Eco? br>Think cloud computing. Then Now think rain. Let’s Now think spring. More Now let’s think green.On November 7th, 2011, Txchnologist’s Morgen E. Peck discussed the lack of clarity regarding the environmental sustainability of cloud computing. The term may suggest a state of [ecological](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/08/green-new-deals-ecological-scarcity-and-the-lessons-of-history/) equilibrium. However cloud computing’s unpredictability and variability. For they suggest that [greenness](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/02/california-directs-states-largest-utilities-to-offer-green-e-energy-certified-green-power-programs/) is contingent on how it is utilized. Cloud computing is intended to be highly efficient. Thereby allowing companies to outsource their computing and storage needs. Especially to providers like [Google](http://www.google.com/about/datacenters/) and [Microsoft](https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:A0Jq-4SN8kMJ:download.microsoft.com/download/a/7/b/a7b72ab1-ca17-4589-923a-83b0ff57be6d/Energy-Efficiency-Best-Practices-in-Microsoft-Data-Center-Operations-CeBIT.doc+&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESg1-g9c37aLhfWCZHrYSURVn4p8j4_S8fj4FWbZgkn8LxiPvWTUIArDuaggRXEbVlWILcwKCyu-DfTTpHvk12oU3bf92AcvpOZsDlY10CVnb50qMkUURYWLRg1CTRsxqBoQIPOA&sig=AHIEtbTEfj_padqrs0qQyWV9DF3PBAyeOw%5D). Nevertheless, there is still much wonder and debate on how eco-friendly cloud computing actually is. ![Cloud computing for the gm battery engineering teams](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy. com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/image10.jpg?resize=374%2C214&quality=52&ssl=1 "Data center - The Green Living Guy") GM battery engineering teams have tested and validated the A123 battery chemistry at the automakers Global Battery Systems lab in Warren Mich Teams from both companies will now work on developing calibrations and software controls for the [battery system in preparation for production](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/05/siemens-plus-northvolt-partner-in-next-generation-lithium-ion-battery-cell-production/) These massive investments in efficiency will result in [data center energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/03/data-center-energy-savings-through-modernization/) consumption being cut. I mean by one-third by 2020. All according to the [green tech analyst firm](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/10/houston-texas-tech-firm-owdt-got-recognized-for-becoming-new-green-seal-green-office-partner/) Pike Research. #### **New road, more cars** According to Pike Research, huge [investments aimed at increasing efficiency](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/04/arkansas-energy-efficiency-investments-would-create-thousands-of-local-jobs-and-save-customers-billions/). For it will result in data centers. Thereby consuming one-third less [energy by 2020](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/07/arcelik-reduce-energy-45-sustainability-goals/). [Reuven Cohen](https://www.elasticvapor.com/), the founder of Enomaly, a Toronto- based company that creates products for cloud service providers. For he states that what was once stored on one server is now available in a multi-tenancy setting. However, [Jevons’ Paradox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jevons_paradox) applies here. That’s providing more resources leads to more usage of those resources. Cohen also claims that cloud computing is likely more efficient, but it may persuade companies to take on more computing, which could eventually lead to greater power usage. So Kerry Hinton, an electrical engineer at the University of Melbourne and part of the ARC Services [Research](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/10/research-is-underway-on-rare-electric-vehicle-battery-fires/) Network. For Kerry believes that working out [efficiency](https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:MN_BSFaALSAJ:home.dei.polimi.it/sami/architetture_avanzate/cloud.pdf+&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESi8AoKsN9_N98icb-C9KhU4JGifKcJrvRhD7cmX4svc2xJ5ansPrhu1XPj-yNiogTvBdIMZntGUwpL0T8x5YaZcg3rpPXGXFUv5E7RhKlKTLG1dyqNb9dKCQgxS__iWYIn4qHs5&sig=AHIEtbSgriOaPNedVjKnFsUgdc7L-vK4JA) is an intricate process. Moreover, there is an important factor that is usually missed. Moving data from a private network to a consolidated data center. It is not an easy task. When a business moves all its info externally, its staff have to rely on the Internet each time. For they need access, and that consumes energy too. “The true issue in the long run is connecting to the internet. Then to get to the cloud provider,” Hinton states. #### Cloud Computing : Not That Easy Once a company moves all of that information offsite, its employees have to go through the Internet. I mean every time they need access. For those operations consume energy too. The data may be traveling on superhighways, but it has further to go. “The thing that’s going to kill us in the longer term is connecting into the internet to talk to the cloud provider,” says Hinton. #### **Energy hungry routers** According to Hinton, when an employee uses a cloud-based program instead of a desktop one to update a spreadsheet, a greater amount of [energy is needed](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/07/progress-on-commercial-building-energy-efficiency-has-been-good-but-more-attention-needed-to-decrease-waste-in-several-areas/) to establish an internet connection. Each time the spreadsheet is updated. All for the employee may be communicating with various data centers. All that span the globe. Data centers which require passing through 12-14 routers. Moreover, Hinton claims that routers are the most energy-consuming components of the internet. For they are consuming 7-10 nanojoules per bit. Additionally, when customers use a wireless connection, the energy utilized increases significantly. That’s making data transportation a more prominent [part of the efficiency](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/01/energy-upgrade-california-play-your-part-and-win/) equation. Hinton believes that cloud computing may be able to decrease energy usage, but this issue still needs to be addressed by providers, who often target new businesses. **[Morgen E. Peck ](https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/morgenpeck)**is a contributor to [IEEE Spectrum](https://web.archive.org/web/20170704231910/http://spectrum.ieee.org/biomedical/devices/medical-devices-are-vulnerable-to-hacks-but-risk-is-low-overall), Innovation News Daily and other publications. Her last story for Txchnologist looked at “Skywalker” prosthetic technology. ## Txchnologist, NOVEMBER 7TH, 2011, BY MORGEN E. PECK ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) 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. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)