Mr. Dimpz Blog

Green Campus Computing..


Green energy is the term used to describe sources of energy that are considered to be environmentally friendly and non-polluting, such as geothermal, wind, solar, and hydro.Green energy sources are often considered "green" because they are perceived to lower carbon emissions and create less pollution.

Green energy is commonly thought of in the context of electricity, mechanical power, heating and cogeneration. Consumers, businesses, and organizations may purchase green energy in order to support further development, help reduce the environmental impacts of conventional electricity generation, and increase their nation’s energy independence. Renewable energy certificates (green certificates or green tags) have been one way for consumers and businesses to support green energy.

Energy-Efficient Lighting Tips:

* Use natural daylight when possible.
* If you spend a lot of time working at a computer, consider reducing the overall brightness level in your room to enhance CRT screen visibility.
* Report any lighting problems to your Zone Maintenance office. This might include a burned-out lamp, defective occupancy sensor, or a flickering bulb.
* Turn off the lights in classrooms, offices, and restrooms when the rooms are not being occupied.
* Consider using desk lamps ("task lighting") and reducing overhead lighting in the room.
* If your building has areas where "occupancy sensors" are being used to turn lights on and off (such as in conference rooms, rest rooms, and hallways), please cooperate with their use.
* Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs where possible.

Energy Conservation in the Laboratory

* Keep fume hood sashes closed when not in use. Fume hoods operate in a vacuum by drawing room air and any undesirable fumes through the cabinet and exhausting it out the building's exhaust stack. In almost all laboratories on campus, the room air being exhausted is 100% fresh outside air. Fresh air is very expensive to heat or cool. Lowering the sash (the glass window) when the fume hood is not in use reduces the amount of conditioned air exhausted.
* A Bio-Safety cabinet is another type of fume hood; it filters the air rather then exhausting it. This type of fume hood uses a recycling-air vent, which does not necessarily need to be kept on at all times. Remember to turn off the fan when not in use.
* When using running water for cooling or condenser systems, remember to turn off the valve when finished.
* If possible, use a cooling system with a re-circulating pump as opposed to running once through water.
* Turn off all equipment when not in use. This includes everything from hot plates to lights to computers.
* Keep the hallway door shut as much as possible. This is not only a safety measure, but it helps balance the air system in the laboratory.
* When using automatic glassware washers, wait until you have a full load before operating.
* Maintain refrigerators and freezers by keeping coils clean and doors properly sealed.
* If refrigerator or freezer is over 8 years old, consider upgrading to a newer more energy-efficient model.
* Do not place refrigerators or freezers next to room thermostats.
* Consolidate contents of refrigerators or freezers--a full freezer is more efficient to keep cold than a half empty freezer. Turn off the empty, unused appliance.

Energy Efficient Computing

* Do not leave your computer running overnight and on weekends. Also, wait until you are ready to use it before you turn it on.
* A modest amount of turning on and off will not harm the computer or monitor. The life of a monitor is related to the amount of time it is in use, not the number of on and off cycles.
* Try to plan your computer-related activities so you can do them all at once, keeping the computer off at other times.
* Do not turn on the printer until you are ready to print. Printers consume energy even while they are idling.
* Do not print out copies of email unless necessary.
* If you spend a large amount of time at your computer, consider reducing the light level in your office. This may improve CRT (cathode ray tube) screen visibility as well as save energy.
* Most computer equipment now comes with power management features. If your computer has these features, make sure they are activated.
* The best screen saver is no screen saver at all - turn off your monitor when you are not using it. This option is second best only to turning off your computer all together.
* Use "paperless" methods of communication such as email and fax-modems.
* When typing documents, especially drafts, use a smaller font and decrease the spacing between lines, or reformat to keep your document to as few pages as possible, especially when typing drafts.
* Review your document on the screen instead of printing a draft. If you must print a draft, use the blank back side of used paper.
* Use a printer that can print double-sided documents. When making copies, use double-sided copying.
* Always buy and use recycled-content paper. Look for papers with 50-100% post-consumer waste and non-chlorine bleached. Also, recycle your paper when done.
* Buy a monitor only as large as you really need. Although a large monitor might seem more attractive, you should remember that a 17-inch monitor uses 40 percent more energy than a 14-inch monitor. Also, the higher the resolution, the more energy it needs.
* Ink-jet printers, though a little slower than laser printers, use 80 to 90 percent less energy.
* Request recycled/recyclable packaging from your computer vendor.
* Buy vegetable (or non-petroleum-based) inks. These printer inks are made from renewable resources; require fewer hazardous solvents; and in many cases produce brighter, cleaner colors.

How the university can adopt this concept?

Our university can simply adopt green campus computing by simply educating the students about what is "green campus computing" and the benefits it brings to us. Our university should implement policies and regulations in conserving energy, and do orientations about the right ways of using personal computers and any other related devices. And lastly, take good care of our environment. In this simple way, we can conserve energy.





References:

http://www.energymanagement.umich.edu/utilities/energy_management/computing/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_energy
http://ecenter.colorado.edu/energy/projects/green_computing.html