08/03/2011 - Quantum leap in sustainability

In German computer centres servers consume about ten terawatt-hours per year, which corresponds to the power consumption of three million German households. Within the scope of the so-called Green IT, efforts have been made worldwide in information and communication technology for years, to achieve energy and emission savings – from production over use to recycling. In particular computer centres have a high saving potential. Alone 40 percent of the total power consumption in German computer centres must be used for operation, 32 percent for cooling of servers.

Within the scope of a hardware change to the latest generation Time Shuttle GmbH therefore also optimised its energy consumption. The number of servers has been reduced to 2 from previously 24. At the same time Time Shuttle increased the room temperature of the server room to 24° C. Before, it had been cooled down to 21° C. The energy savings thus achieved amount to estimated 30 percent. With that Time Shuttle sets a good example as regards climate protection: If the majority of German enterprises changed their computer centres from ‘business as usual’ over to Green IT, the power consumption could be reduced by 40 percent until the year of 2015, predicts the Berlin Borderstep Institute. In view of the importance of the IT-business as an important interface between the transport service provider and its customers Time Shuttle hired two programmers, who in future will contribute to additionally improving service and process quality of the High-Value-Specialist.

Furthermore one of the biggest photovoltaic systems in Aachen is currently being installed on the roofs of the forwarding group premises. In future about 500,000 kWh energy will be supplied to the electricity network, which corresponds to a third of the annual total energy consumption of the site. Long-term objective is to cover 50 percent of the total energy consumption of the forwarding group with self-generated solar energy.


« Nachlese