Syracuse University, IBM, New York State cut the ribbon today for one of the world's greenest data centers

Announced in late May 2009 and constructed in just over six months, Syracuse University, IBM and New York State today cut the ribbon on a new $12.4 million, 12,000-square-foot Green Data Center (GDC) that uses an innovative on-site power generation system for electricity, heating and cooling, and incorporates IBM's latest energy-efficient servers, computer-cooling technology and system management software.  It is projected to use about 50 percent less energy than a typical data center in operation today, making it one of the world's "greenest" computer centers.  It is also the first to integrate microturbine power generation with central battery UPS functionality.

SU will utilize the center as its primary computing facility. In addition, as part of the GDC project, IBM and SU intend to establish a GDC Analysis and Design Center in 2010 to offer research and analysis services for clients and others who want to build new energy efficient data centers or optimize the efficiency of current centers.

IBM provided more than $5 million in equipment, design services and support to the GDC project.  The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) contributed $2 million to the project. Sen. David Valesky today announced he had secured $500,000 in additional funding from the New York State Senate.

The project is an example of IBM's Smarter Planet initiative, focused on helping clients use digital intelligence to improve products or entire systems. IBM intends to showcase the data center and its energy-efficient technologies to help clients design new data centers or improve their current operations. The center will expand SU's leadership in the development and use of "green" innovations in nationally strategic domains.

Read the rest of the story at the IBM press room:
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/28946.wss