Intel Partners to Develop Data Centers that Require Less A/C
Intel and KT Corporation (a South Korea telecom) are developing data centers that operate at temperatures above 30C (86F). Data centers normally operate at 18 – 21 C (64 – 70F).
Typically A/C for a data center is a significant operating cost.
According to the US Dept of Energy …” half the power used by a typical data centers supports its infrastructure, including cooling systems …”
Even small increases in temperature can result in large energy and cost savings. “Data centers save about 7 percent on air conditioning costs for every degree they raise the temperature above 22 degrees …”
Higher operating temperature = Lower Energy Costs = Smaller Carbon Footprint.
Plans are to first deploy this technology in KTs Cheonan data center in 2013 followed by eventual deployment at all 10 of their data centers in South Korea.
Via: Environmental Leader LINK
The EPA has statistics on who uses the most renewable energy. For the nation as a whole the biggest users are found in the Top 50 ... first by kWh is Intel with 51% of its total electric use and second by kWh is Kohl's department store at 100 % of its total electric use!! 
Not long ago data centers were concerned with maximum density and processing power. But as electricity cost have risen and supply becoming a gating factor - the data center is changing .. 
nd, perhaps to a lesser degree, are built in a more environmentally responsible manner. Hardware makers are stepping up to meet the challenge, "
