At ViaWest, we’re conscious of our impact on the environment. Through everyday operational strategies that mitigate our carbon footprint we strive to maintain an environmentally responsible enterprise. We are committed to providing you with green data center solutions that don't sacrifice any of the performance you would expect from ViaWest.
To reduce air pollution, we choose to use renewable energy sources, such as wind power, where available. We also employ recycling programs and environmental education at all our offices and facilities. ViaWest encourages cloud computing and virtualization strategies to help customers maximize their computing potential while lowering their space and energy consumption. Finally, we use only the latest, most efficient technologies when performing regular physical upgrades to our infrastructure, to ensure that we make the most of every opportunity to minimize our environmental impact.
ViaWest Green Data Center Solution Accolades
Here are the accolades that ViaWest has received for its green initiatives:
Oregon Data Centers
- Gold level partner in Portland General Electric's Clean Wind program
- Energy Trust of Oregon granted ViaWest $230,000 in incentives for incorporating best of breed energy saving technologies into the design and build of our Hillsboro II data center
Colorado Data Centers
- Xcel Energy 2010 Cooling Efficiency Champion in Colorado
Utah Data Centers
- ViaWest is a visionary-level participant in the Rocky Mountain Power's Blue Sky renewable energy program through which ViaWest purchases wind generated electricity
- Energy Star rating for efficiency, one of the few in the United States
ViaWest Green Initiatives
Here are a few examples of how we are promoting green solutions and contributing to a healthy planet for ages to come:
- We utilize clean, renewable, wind power energy programs at our regional data centers—“Windsource” in our Colorado center, “CleanWind” in Oregon, and “Blue Sky” in Utah
- We deploy high efficiency cooling units in our centers, which have yielded in excess of 50% savings in total energy
- We prefer clean chilled water systems for cooling over direct expansion systems
- We maximize the use of free cooling/ambient air opportunities through geographic planning
- We ensure effective cooling throughout the data center facilities via regular thermal analysis and reviews
- We reduce the need for additional cooling units through specialized hot/cold aisle management and ducted air return
- We maintain strict recycling programs at all ViaWest facilities, recycling approximately one ton of cardboard every month
- We promote the use of recycled building materials in new construction and expansion projects
- We promote server virtualization strategies to enable long-term efficiency and decrease the average deployment size by 20%