What's on your roof? by doug mohney

Views and Opinions on Green IT (Jul 28 2009) Construction , Solar , Wind

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   The space on top of your building is likely to become a lot more interesting over the next couple of years. Depending on geographic location, the roof on a data center can be a valuable piece of real estate for generating revenue.  Can green (money) and green (improving the environment) live in harmony?

   Many data centers that are tenants of large building are already familiar with the concept of "roof rights" – the ability to place devices on open roof space in exchange for some fee per month.  Cellular antennas and satellite dishes are typically the most popular pieces of hardware one might find on the roof, followed by different flavors of antennas for high-speed point-to-point wireless technology.

   All of those pieces of add-on metal and plastic are modern-day squatters compared to the lifeblood of the building: Cooling towers, chillers, and the other equipment necessary for HVAC operation.  All of this metallic equipment is typically bright and shiny and sits on a flat black roof so it can throw heat out of the inside of the building.

   New efforts to get the most out of roof space move in two different directions: power generation and "green roof" efforts. Large open flat spaces in a urban or suburban environment are being eyed for power, with brand names such as Wal-Mart, Kohl's, Safeway and Whole Foods putting up solar panels for renewable energy credits and to cut electric bills.  Wind power is a much more challenging proposition, with dozen of schemes ranging from microturbines to squeeze watts out of irregular wind conditions to techniques to shape and channel air flow and maximize power.

    

   In densely urban environments, power generation schemes compete with the benefits of a green roof.  A green roof installation can provide numerous advantags, including reductions of heating and cooling with a proportional reduction of HVAC needs, better storm water management, and even fresh fruit and vegetables.  Numerous cities are promoting green roofs to lower city temperatures and improve air quality.

    

   With power generation schemes and green roof efforts still relatively young, there is no clear winner.  Both options should be evaluated by IT centers in a holistic fashion to evaluate power savings and the impact upon existing equipment.  Planners may have to budget for moving antennas around from potential interference from solar panels – or someone having to go up on the roof and trim back the plants around the satellite dishes.

   
   

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