Green data centre nets million-dollar-plus rebate

Who says it doesn’t pay to go green in a down economy? Try telling that to NetApp, a California-based Internet services company that’s received a $1.43 million (U.S.) rebate check from the utility Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) thanks to its energy-saving data centre.

Earth2Tech reports that NetApp’s new data centre in Sunnyvale boasts a number of features designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce power consumption, including energy-efficient transformers, exterior air economisers and flywheel systems to ensure a backup power supply. Such improvements are expected to reduce NetApp’s annual power consumption by 11 million kilowatt-hours, which makes for a energy bill savings of some $1.18 million.

The data centre efficiencies also reduce NetApp’s carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 3.400 tons per year.

NetApp says its rebate is the largest ever awarded under PG&E’s Non-Residential New Construction Program, which rewards businesses for designing and constructing highly efficient buildings.

NetApp also received Santa Clara County’s Green Business certification for its recycling, reuse and waste reduction efforts.

“From our data center design to our efforts to reduce facilities waste, we are implementing strategies to create greater efficiencies across numerous areas of our business,” said Laura Pickering, vice president, Office of the CEO, and NetApp’s environmental responsibility advocate. “Not only are we committed to improving our energy efficiency and waste reduction programs, but also to sharing our best practices with customers to help them achieve success and understand how these initiatives can impact their businesses.”