Sustainability Project

ladybird This bright little insect (also called lady-cow or Bishop Barnaby) is said to bring luck if it alights on someone, and should never be harmed. Children encourage it to fly away with some variant of the rhyme: Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home, Your house is on fire, and your children all gone,

The global community is seeking to be informed on the issue of sustainable developments that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Creation, use and destruction of IT systems must be done in an environmentally sound way. This may sound difficult but it is in fact fairly easy…

Significant power savings and life cycle enhancement are available from thoughtful and innovative designs, such as:- improved desktop design (40% energy saving at this stage, 40% improved performance over standard desktop, migration path to multiple core CPU) power management software (savings to $79 pa on a standard desktop/ monitor) Efficient operating system memory e.g. CompactFlash (10% energy saving ~ 20w) replacement of server farms with a virtual server to (100%+)

This project proposes a number of pilot developments that will inform on and model sustainable information and communications technologies (ICT’s).

The pilot projects will provide practicum for a course in ICT Sustainability. The pilot projects will inform the NSWTAFE and partner community in the field of ICT Sustainability.

Sustainable ICT Node The pilot projects will cluster around a sustainable ICT node with the following phases and features:

Phase 1 energy savings (40%) cost savings (40%+) disaster management and recovery in the event of ac voltage failure

Phase 2 zero energy design considerations (mains-free) Some portability for demonstration purposes

Stage 3 energy generation income generation

Pilot Projects low energy workstation 12Vdc powered low energy server renewable energy system virtual-machine technology feasibility study on a long distance WiMAX link 12Vdc powered feasibility study on a building/floor sensory network

2 Different PC’s Used Server - Abit Core2Duo - Compact Media Desktop - High performance with reduced energy inputs Workstation - Via MM 3500 Integrated Platform Motherboard - - Low energy consumption (one of the lowest available) - Energy to performance trade off

Power Consumption

Performance

TOTAL: ~$2200 small system Battery: sealed maintenance – rechargeable battery (perfect for storage of renewable energy) n x 12 Volt 100Ah/20HR Wind generator and 12-Volt controller: 12 Volt 4.5 metres high, 3 blades, Rated power: 200 watts rated, 300 watts max Output current: 8.33A, Max wind speed: 40m/s (144km/h), Weight: 62kg, 12-Volt controller included Solar panel and solar charge controller: 12 Volt, 80 watts, Open circuit voltage: 22.1V, Short circuit current: 4.8A, Dimensions: 537 x 1204 x 44mm, Weight 7.5kg, Temperature range: -40 to 85, 10 Year warranty Inverter: Modified sine wave inverter, 300 watt (1000 watt surge), 12VDC to 230VAC, 90% energy efficient, Weight: 1.1kg Renewable Energy System

Stage 2 & 3 Projects Suitable projects for phases 2 and 3 will depend on feedback from phase 1 projects and strategic opportunities identified in the feasibility studies.

ICT Sustainability Project proposal for five new units Install and test power saving hardware Install and test power management software Install and test renewable energy system for ICT networks Install and test Web 2.0 and applications on a low powered workstation fed by power over ethernet Install and integrate a virtual server

Project information (URL) Education for Sustainability: es.htm ICTSustainability