Barclays Selects HP to Become First in Europe to Roll Out Dynamic Smart Cooling for New Energy-efficient Data Center
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HP (NYSE:HPQ) and Barclays today announced that they have signed a letter of intent to introduce HP technology that is expected to significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with Barclays’ new major data center in Gloucester, U.K.
HP Dynamic Smart Cooling technology is part of a package of energy-saving measures that will allow Barclays to save up to 13.4 percent of total energy used for its data center. These measures will reduce its carbon footprint by approximately 7,470 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year.(1)
As a result of growing demand for technology, energy costs associated with data centers are rising rapidly. Many centers are running close to the limit of their air conditioning systems and the power they can draw from the grid. With their increasing need for power, data centers are becoming large contributors to the carbon footprint of many companies.
HP Dynamic Smart Cooling technology actively manages a data center’s air-conditioned environment to deliver the right amount of cooling where it is needed most. The energy provisioning system uses advanced control software fed by continuous, real-time air-temperature measurements from a network of sensors throughout a data center. The system then continuously monitors and adjusts the air handlers to modulate cooling energy based on demand from the servers and storage devices.
The benefits to Barclays are clear: savings on energy consumption as the air conditioners are used more efficiently; faster response to changes in temperature; and, generally less strain on the chillers that cool the air around the data center.
“Last November, as part of the CBI Climate Change Task Force, Barclays made a clear commitment to focus on further reducing the carbon impact of our buildings, technology and travel,” said Marcus Agius, chairman, Barclays Group. “This announcement is an important step towards delivering just that. Efficient energy management is at the heart of our technology infrastructure, and we are investing to use the best technology available. We are proud to be one of the first companies in Europe to implement HP’s Dynamic Smart Cooling technology.”
Francesco Serafini, managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at HP, said: “HP has a close working relationship with Barclays, and our companies share a commitment to utilizing technology to drive better business and environmental outcomes. The letter of intent provides for HP to deliver a complete solution that will allow Barclays to transform its data center, enabling scalable technology capability with energy cost savings that should significantly reduce its carbon footprint.”
Implementing HP Dynamic Smart Cooling technology is the latest of several worldwide energy-efficiency initiatives between the two companies. Prior work includes power-optimized servers, HP BladeSystem and HP Thermal Logic technology adoption, and virtualization-based consolidation. These initiatives have already achieved a range from 18 percent energy savings per server to 40 percent energy savings per data center for Barclays’ technology services around the globe.
More information about HP Dynamic Smart Cooling is available at www.hp.com/go/dsc.
Barclays Environmental Targets
Barclays set new environmental improvement targets in 2005 which support its approach to managing its climate change impacts.
Climate change targets for 2006-2010 include:
- Reduce CO2 emissions by 20 percent by 2010 (using 2000 as the baseline year)
- Reduce carbon intensity from 16.8 tonnes to 12.9 tonnes CO2 per £m of UK income (using 2005 baseline.) Carbon intensity is a measure of emissions relative to business growth and it allows comparisons to be made between companies.
- Reduce energy consumption in offices and branches by 20 percent per employee (FTE) (using 2005 as the baseline)
Barclays Climate Action Program
At the centre of Barclays’ approach to managing its impact on climate change is a six-point program that sets out priorities for carbon management across the company’s global operations.
- Reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by improving energy efficiency
- Buy more renewable energy
- Make operations carbon neutral by offsetting remaining carbon emissions
- Work with suppliers to help reduce their carbon emissions
- Develop products and services that help customers reduce their impact on climate change
- Engage with key stakeholders and contribute to the debate on climate change action
About Barclays
Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail and commercial banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services with an extensive international presence in Europe, the USA, Africa and Asia.
It is one of the largest financial services companies in the world by market capitalisation. With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs over 134,000 people.
Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for over 27 million customers and clients worldwide.
For further information about Barclays, please visit its website www.barclays.com.
About HP
HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers -- from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world’s largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $107.7 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended Jan. 31, 2008. More information about HP is available at www.hp.com.
(1) Based upon 100 percent utilization. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Guideline CO2 conversion factor. The amount of CO2 saved is calculated as 7,469 tonnes, calculated using the most up-to-date DEFRA guideline energy to CO2 conversion factor.