1. Articles from guardian.co.uk

    1-5 of 5

    1. Hertford college harnesses Iceland's geothermal energy

      Explore guardian.co.uk (Nov 30 2011)

      Hertford college harnesses Iceland's geothermal energy It's cold, it's bleak, and it's best known economically for its fisheries industry and the 2008 banking crisis, but Iceland is also the source of a radical solution in managing data centres that has led an English further education college to do a deal that will be available for the education sector throughout the UK. Hertford Regional College (HRC) has set up a framework agreement with Thor Data Center in Hafnafjordur, just south of Reykjavik, to provide storage and a platform for running applications. It is now migrating its own data to the site and is talking to other institutions about using the facility. Daniel Hidlebaugh, the college's chief technology officer, says the move was prompted by the need to make savings while meeting green targets and building in sufficient resilience. It did not have the resources to provide 24/7 support for an in-house data ... (Read Full Article)

      Mentions:   Iceland

    2. World's first zero-carbon data centre to be built in Iceland

      Explore guardian.co.uk (Sep 27 2011) Construction , Power and Cooling , Geothermal

      World's first zero-carbon data centre to be built in Iceland The GuardianWorld's first zero-carbon data centre to be built in IcelandThe GuardianVerne will offer customers free cooling by using the cold Icelandic air to regulate temperatures. The site is connected to the US and Europe by multiple high-speed cables. Verne plans to expand the site's capacity as demand grows, and says it has laid ...and more » (Read Full Article)

      Mentions:   Iceland   Europe   Verne Global

    3. Google backs world's fastest internet cable

      Explore guardian.co.uk (Dec 13 2009) Networking

      Google backs world's fastest internet cable In little more than a decade, Google has conquered the technology industry and become one of the world's most powerful companies. Its latest undertaking, however, may be one of its most ambitious: a giant undersea cable that will significantly speed up internet access around the globe. The Californian search engine is part of a consortium that confirmed its plans to install the new Southeast Asia Japan Cable (SJC) yesterday, the centrepiece of a $400m (£245m) project that will create the highest capacity system ever built. Google is undertaking the scheme with a number of Asian telecommunications companies, including Japan's KDDI and India's Reliance Globalcom. The agreement to build the submarine cable was first proposed three years ago, but negotiations finally came to a close on Wednesday as officials signed what they promised was a groundbreaking deal. (Read Full Article)

      Mentions:   Google

    4. Energy firms must invest £200bn to meet UK targets, says regulator

      Explore guardian.co.uk (Oct 12 2009) Power and Cooling

      Energy firms must invest £200bn to meet UK targets, says regulator Ofgem warns of 60% rise in electricity and gas bills as private sector fails to deliver on security and green commitments. Volatile energy supplies over the next few years could lead to a surge in domestic bills, Ofgem warns. The energy regulator has warned that £200bn of new investment may be needed in the next few years in a tacit admission that the deregulated private sector industry is failing to deliver energy security and meet climate change plans for Britain. Consumers could face price rises of up to 60% in their gas and electricity bills in the next seven years as energy supplies become more volatile, admitted Ofgem. The regulator has previously championed a low-cost market. (Read Full Article)

      Mentions:   Alistair Buchanan

    5. Ofgem's four scenarios for energy bills

      Explore guardian.co.uk (Oct 12 2009) Power and Cooling

      Ofgem's four scenarios for energy bills The four scenarios set out today by Ofgem for the UK energy market are as follows: Green transition Under this scenario there is a rapid economic recovery and a significant expansion in investment in green measures. Domestic renewables targets are met and energy efficiency measures are effective. GB gas demand falls but electricity demand increases due to greater use of electric vehicles and heat pumps. The effect on domestic consumer bills is an increase of 23% by 2020. Green stimulus There is a slow recovery from the recession and restricted availability of finance. Governments around the world implement green stimulus packages to achieve environmental goals and boost economic activities. High carbon prices and government policies support investment in renewables, nuclear and carbon capture and storage. The effect on domestic consumer bills is an increase of 14% by 2020. (Read Full Article)