Energy-efficient power systems, server consolidation, and expanded use of virtualization are helping to drive down costs in higher education data centers, according to a new report released Monday. The report, "2012 Energy Efficient IT Report," released this week by CDW Government, showed that energy efficiency is having an impact on costs in college and university IT operations. Among higher education IT leaders surveyed for the study, 71 percent reported that green initiatives in their organizations have led to at least a 1 percent cost savings in their data center operations.

Five years ago Bryant University's IT infrastructure was in serious need of an overhaul. "We were out of space, power, and cooling capabilities," said Richard Siedzik, director of computer and telecommunications services for the Smithfield, RI-based institution. Data center consolidation was definitely on Bryant University's agenda, as was a broader, campus-wide energy efficiency initiative. Siedzik said the first phase of the project involved centralizing three separate computer rooms--each filled with servers--into a single data center in an effort to maximize cost and energy efficiencies.