Taking part in the Carbon Trust Carbon Management service has helped us to understand our priority areas and the potential opportunities available to us. It has been a useful vehicle to consolidate lots of individual activities and explain our strategy for carbon reduction to the wider university population.
Business focus
In trying to reconcile its carbon reduction targets with an ambitious growth strategy, Sheffield Hallam University joined our Carbon Management programme. One key activity undertaken was addressing the University’s IT services. Since investing in virtualisation software, the University has saved £43,000 a year and 270 tonnes of CO2. It also expects further savings through reductions in air conditioning.
Benefits of virtualization
Universities face an ever growing demand for computing services, which brings an increased requirement for air conditioning and escalating carbon emissions. Sheffield Hallam was also approaching the limits of its electricity supply cables and it was also running out of space in its server room.
Using virtualization software, Sheffield Hallam University has managed to virtualise about 80% of its servers. This has reduced the number of servers operating and electricity consumption has fallen up to 80%. It has also relieved the physical space issue.
Savings
- £43,000 of annual energy savings
- 270tCO2 saved each year
Find out more about support and services for higher education institutions to reduce energy costs and cut emissions.