Managing energy risks critical for NZ green IT sector

17 August 2011

Managing energy risks critical for NZ green IT sector to flourish

New Zealand’s energy efficiency industry is gearing up for an influx of data storage companies into the country, and an increase in interest from Corporations wanting to ensure their IT department is doing its bit for the environment.

The Energy Management Association (EMANZ) says energy use by data centres is expected to jump by 40 to 50 per cent in the next two years and this will affect New Zealand, which is seen as an attractive base for these companies because of our high proportion of renewable energy.

EMANZ executive officer, Ewan Gebbie, says increased energy use by data centres will require an increasing focus on energy efficiency, and better management of energy risks.

“It’s fantastic that we offer a renewable energy haven, but that doesn’t mean New Zealand can afford to waste energy. That still has environmental and economic consequences.

“The goal is to create an energy efficient environment that will be even more attractive to the energy intensive global data centre industry and provide positive options to organisations who have concerns.”

EMANZ is hosting a one off forum to brief ICT professionals on the looming issues around rapidly increasing energy use and to assist them to mitigate their energy risks. There are a range of risks around power supply that have come into sharp focus in recent times.

The Association has brought together a collection of energy specialists with specific expertise in the ICT industry.

They will use the forum to bust a few myths about energy and ICT, discuss supply and resilience strategies and assist industry members to improve their understanding of how to manage the increasing risks and costs associated with the sector's growing use of energy.

Many organisations have intelligent data backup systems designed to manage regional or local power failures. However, many organisations don’t have these systems and don't necessarily understand how issues such as power quality can impact the integrity of ICT systems, Mr Gebbie said.

"The forum will provide the average ICT manager with practical information that will immediately help them to improve the resilience of their IT systems and better manage their energy costs."

The EMANZ ICT forum will be held on August 29 at the James Cook Hotel in Wellington. For further information see www.emanz.org.nz.

ENDS

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