IBM goes from Big Blue to Very Green

Computerworld - IBM is drinking its own green Kool-Aid, embarking on a huge energy-conservation project to consolidate about 3,900 of its own servers in six locations around the world, reducing power use by about 80% and saving $250 million on electricity, support and software over five years.

In an announcement today, the company said the program will allow it to build an environmentally friendly computing infrastructure that it could then sell to customers. The initiative is part of the company's Project Big Green power consumption reduction program, which was announced in May.

Under the project, IBM will replace 3,900 smaller servers with 30 IBM System z9 mainframes running Linux and virtualization software. The move will cut floor space needed to house the machines by 85% and will conserve enough electrical power to run a small town, the company said.

IBM now has more than 8 million square feet of data center space -- the size of about 139 football fields -- supporting more than 350,000 users. The company hopes that by building the energy-efficient data centers, it will encourage its business customers to follow suit.

"As one of the world's largest technology providers, IBM consistently assesses how our systems can be maximized to support our employees and clients," Mark Hennessy, vice president and CIO of IBM's Enterprise On Demand Transformation division, said in a statement. "A global account consolidation truly demonstrates that IBM is committed to driving stronger energy and technology optimization -- and cost savings."

The 3,900 servers that are being replaced will be recycled by IBM's recycling division.

IBM data centers in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; Southbury, Conn.; Boulder, Colo.; Portsmouth, England; Osaka, Japan; and Sydney will participate in the initiative.

An IBM spokesman could not be reached for further comment early today.

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