Efficiency, Sustainability, and Information Technology: Utilizing IT for a More Sustainable Future

Matt Peterworth

September 10, 2010

Efficiency, Sustainability, and Information Technology:

Utilizing IT for a More Sustainable Future

Sustainability on the UT Campus: A Symposium

Introduction

Images by Flickr users: Lightbulb – thomasbrightbillTractor -SteffeTelegraph - cliff1066

Evolution of Technology

Sustainability on the UT Campus: A Symposium

Images by Flickr users: Telegraph - cliff1066Telephone – M J MComputer – mattbrett

Main Issue: Energy Use

Sustainability on the UT Campus: A Symposium

IT & Energy

Use:

Sustainability on the UT Campus: A Symposium

Image source: Reliant.com

• Building Automation Systems

• Energy Monitoring

The Internet as Catalyst

Sustainability on the UT Campus: A Symposium

Image source: Wikimedia.com

Physical Infrastructure

(Global)

Sustainability on the UT Campus: A Symposium

Image source: NewScientist.com

Physical Infrastructure

(UT)

Sustainability on the UT Campus: A Symposium

Convergence on Data Network

Sustainability on the UT Campus: A Symposium

IP Phones

Security Cameras

ProjectorsImage sources:IP Phone – Flickr ThinGuySecurity Camera – Flickr dogbombProjector – Panasonic.com

Centralize Resources

in University Data Center

• IT resources and equipment are currently scattered throughout campus

• Inefficient at cooling

• Redundant processing power and backup power systems

• Limited virtualization

Sustainability on the UT Campus: A Symposium

Image source: Flickr - xeni

Local and Global Trends

• Austin Energy and Smart Meters

• IBM, Cisco and Smart Cities

Sustainability on the UT Campus: A Symposium

Image sources: smart-grid.tmcnet.com and IBM

Conclusion

• Real-time measurement to lower personal energy use

• Analysis of a larger data set to improve efficiency

Sustainability on the UT Campus: A Symposium

Image sources: Cisco and Texas Advanced Computing Center