This story about the rapid increase in cloud computing and the need for massive server capacity and the electricity to run them is fascinating. A bit of a long read, but worth it. One scientist estimates that data/computing centers already consume 1-2% of the world's demand for electricity.
"Data centers worldwide now consume more energy annually than Sweden. And the amount of energy required is growing, says Jonathan Koomey, a scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. From 2000 to 2005, the aggregate electricity use by data centers doubled. The cloud, he calculates, consumes 1 to 2 percent of the world’s electricity."
The story contains a fascinating example of spin. Was the author spun by the people he interviewed or did he purposely spin the story? The spin involves a discussion near the end of the piece where he discusses Microsft's use of containerized servers, implying, but not saying that MS may have invented the concept. The fact is that this idea originated with Google a few years ago and has been their practice for a long time. In fact, they have patents on this technology. I would think the author would have used a Google rather than a Microsoft example to illustrate the trend.
1 comment:
Matt Dunne, is a relentless proponent of Google's cloud computing concept of course he is employed by Google. He proposes that all State and federal data, even high security data, be managed in the cloud. Best to you and Carol. Imagining the fun your having as I clear brush, remove ticks and cut trees for a new pond. Love to you both,.
Bill
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