Energy innovation: Time to stop idling?

[Michael_Bird]

Global leaders are determined to combat climate change and lead the planet to "net zero". But how can energy-hungry organizations find real solutions in technology, when technology itself is a part of the problem?

Today, host Michael Bird is joined by John Frey HPE Chief Technologist for Sustainable Transformation, Ian Henderson HPE Chief Technologist, Rasha Hasaneen from Trane Technologies, and Jordan Appleson CEO of Hark, to discuss the dichotomy of looking to technology in the fight against climate change. We learn about the challenges of storing renewable energy, how businesses can save millions through energy efficiencies, and how Metallica and the humble Raspberry Pi can help...

Energy and Elon

The creation of renewable energy through wind and solar farms has progressed, but storing energy at scale remains a difficult and costly challenge.

Ian Henderson, HPE Chief Technologist, explains how hydroelectric plants have traditionally been used as "quasi" batteries but, thanks to Elon Musk and innovations in the electric car industry, the cost and capacity of real batteries have improved significantly. But what does Ian make of Michael's proposed storage solution involving the Burj Khalifa and industrial water pumps?

Technology: The problem and the solution

The IT industry is responsible for a staggering 4% of all greenhouse emissions, through inefficiencies in equipment, electrical consumption, cooling and even software code.

John Frey, HPE Chief Technologist for Sustainable Transformation, explains how Big Tech are playing their part, introducing the Low Carbon Patent Pledge which has opened up patents for other innovators to iterate on. Plus, we discuss how automation and consumption models could finally spell the end of all of our pesky idling equipment!

Companies that do good, do well

Our organisations are more than just data centres and IT departments, with our buildings and buildings playing a considerable role in our sustainability ambitions. New tech lets us measure and control light, heat, temperature, particulate matter... but at what environmental cost? Trane Technologies' Rasha Hasaneen introduces us to the fascinating world of indoor environmental quality and sustainability, two areas that aren't as mutually exclusive as they might first appear.

Plus, Jordan Appleson, CEO of Hark gives us the lowdown on the new frontier of IoT and asset management. Jordan reveals that 3.7 billion pounds could be saved in the UK alone, just by reducing waste energy. He details how his company saved a leading UK supermarket chain over one million pounds in a single year, and the small role that Metallica and a £30 Raspberry Pi played...

Key takeaways:

• Generating renewable energy is only part of the equation. The real challenge lies in storing this energy at scale. Fortunately, investment in electric vehicles is driving massive improvements in battery cost and capacity.
• Technology must be used responsibly. Technology provides solutions to climate change, but with the IT industry responsible for 4% of global greenhouse emissions, it must be used responsibly and efficiently.
• There are real costs to wasting energy. Organizations can save millions by focussing on the perfect trifecta of energy use - increasing efficiency, maximizing yield, and reducing waste.

Links and Resources:

Low Carbon Patent Pledge | HPE

How to create carbon-free data centers | HPE

Occupant productivity and indoor environment quality | International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment (Dec 2017)

Sustainble Indoor Environments | Trane Technologies

Trane Technologies

Healthy Spaces podcast | Trane Technologies

Hark

Hark on Instagram

Hark on Twitter

Hark on LinkedIn

What is IT Asset Management (ITAM)? | HPE Enterprise Definitions

IT Efficiency - Savings without sacrifice | HPE Living Projects

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Michael Bird
Hewlett Packard Enterprise

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