Coding Scripts Key to Conserving Energy
Description of a Unit Funding Grant Recipient
A single machine can control the energy consumption of a server room and desktops. Manhong Dai, lead programmer analyst at the Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience Institute (MBNI), is researching a solution to automatically turn on/off idle computing clusters, or linked desktops. Desktops at the MBNI and a computing cluster at the Depression Center will no longer drain energy while idle, but power down instead. Savings would equal about 2,304 kilowatts each month and at least $3,000 in annual electricity costs.
Dai believes the scripts to conserve energy can easily be applied to desktops across campus.
"Making your own configurations for clusters is harder, but do-able," he says. "The principals are the same and the software cost is zero."
Ruth Freedman, MBNI chief administrator officer, forwarded Dai an e-mail about CSCI @ U-M unit funding opportunities. Dai was quick to apply to expand on energy-saving efforts he began six years ago after he solved a server overheating problem by writing a similar script.
CSCI @ U-M donated approximately $10,000 to four units to implement green computing strategies. The Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences at the College of Engineering; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care; and School of Natural Resources and the Environment were the other units to receive funding in January.
"The decision of which units to fund didn’t come easily," said Roxy Block, CSCI @ U-M project manager and member of the Unit Funding Team. "There were more than 20 applicants with various ideas for their specific units needs. We selected those that will have the best influence on campus."
There is still time to apply for funding. Grant applications are due by February 20. Apply now!
Empower U-M to Power Down!
Support the Power Down for the Planet cause! U-M challenged other universities to Power Down for the Planet, and we need your help to win and make a difference one computer at a time. In this national competition, U-M and five other schools promote use of power settings and Energy Star equipment.
Power Down resources include this logo, flyers, and other graphics.
As supporters of CSCI @ U-M, we need you to encourage your campus contacts to take the Power Down for the Planet pledge from March 23 - April 17. Your individual commitment can influence departmental changes as U-M moves toward greener computing practices!
Power Down for the Planet is for everyone on campus. Students, faculty and staff join the fight against computing energy waste through online pledges to reduce their own IT power consumption. The pledge is simple and easy to carry out. Get your unit on board! We have resources available for you to promote Power Down for the Planet.
If you want more excitement, stay tuned for the corresponding video contest. Students are given the opportunity to be creative and with a secondary challenge, to tell the Climate Savers Computing Initiative story via You Tube. The videos will have a viral effect, spreading Climate Savers awareness online. Cash prizes will be awarded to students with the most original take on this green computing effort.
Purdue University, The University of Iowa, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, and University of California - San Diego joined Power Down for the Planet. Let's show them that we are the leaders and best!
Students interested in submitting a seed video to kick-off the challenge, e-mail Carrie Stefanski.
Spotlight: Graduate Student Lends a Green Thumb to Certification Process
Kim Wolske works with one of her undergraduate students.
In fifth grade, Kim Wolske started her own environmental group, and today, she is a member of the Department Certification Team, a part of. the Climate Savers Computing Initiative @ U-M (CSCI @ U-M). The Department Certification Team is developing benchmarks for certifying U-M departments as official “Climate Savers” that promote green computing practices at U-M.
Wolske is a doctoral student in the School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE) where she teaches two courses: the Psychology of Environmental Stewardship and Behavior and Environment.
Wolske's Psychology of Environmental Stewardship course teaches students how to promote eco-friendly behaviors. Students put course concepts into practice by designing interventions to promote actions such as buying local food, reducing phantom energy use, and conserving water. Wolske encourages students to consider potential barriers people may face and to devise strategies that can help them overcome these challenges.
"It's a great course to teach, because students are passionate about the topic and bring a lot of energy to their projects. They may be the 'students,' but their fresh perspective and creative ideas often help push my understanding of conservation behaviors as well," Wolske said.
When not in the classroom, Wolske spends her time researching how to promote climate–friendly lifestyles. When she discovered the Climate Savers Computing Initiative @ U-M (CSCI @ U-M) through a SNRE faculty member, she took immediate action and joined the project's efforts.
"Volunteering with CSCI is a great opportunity to share what I've learned in graduate school about promoting environmental stewardship," Wolske said. "As part of the Department Certification team, we can help the University conserve energy on multiple different platforms. I'm very intrigued by what we can learn about the process of certification, and to see what certain departments already do to conserve energy. The next step is to engage departments and see what improvements are in the works."
Wolske already designed and drafted the pilot surveys for five units participating in Department Certification. She can't wait to see what impact the Department Certification program makes for the University in the coming months.
"We want various units to see Department Certification as an invitation," Wolske said. "People should feel great about doing their part and be rewarded and recognized for helping keep our University an environmental leader."
Dell, Cisco & Sun Support Students
Through the support of CSCI @ U-M corporate partners, Dell, Cisco and Sun, U-M's Student Sustainability Initiative (SSI) received IT equipment and funding that helped the organization ramp up and hit the ground running green from the start.
"Equipment and support from our sponsors provides a key component to the infrastructure required to help SSI achieve its goals," said Bill Wrobleski, Director of Technical Infrastructure Operations for University of Michigan's Administrative Information Services. "As part of U-M's broader commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, SSI will actively involve students in sustainability through collaboration on projects that benefit the community."
SSI, a team of four student staffers, will help students, administrators, faculty, and staff to develop and incorporate sustainability into campus infrastructure and academic curriculum decisions. SSI will also research and offer sustainability best practices and monitor U-M’s progress on sustainability initiatives.
Funding from corporate partners will also be awarded through SSI's Small-Scale Grants program for student organizations. The funds will support innovative research, as well as educational, operational, and outreach initiatives relating to environmental sustainability.
We are engaging campus in strategies, best practices, and education designed to reduce IT energy consumption and increase green computing practices. CSCI @ U-M contributes to the overall campus sustainability effort, developing environmentally conscious practices that become part of campus life and activities for students, faculty, and administration.
Printing Recycled Paper Conserves Significant Energy
By using 100% recycled paper, you contribute to U-M's continuing role as a sustainable leader in higher education.
A simple switch in the type of paper you print on at home or the office can save a significant amount of energy. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, using one ream (500 letter-size sheets) of 100 percent recycled paper conserves 5.3 pounds of CO2 emissions. The EDF reports replacing regular commercial paper with recycled paper can also result in:
- 49 percent less solid waste
- 46 percent less water
- 43 percent less energy
- 37 percent reduction in greenhouse gases
The quality, texture, and weight of recycled and commercial paper are nearly identical, one unit on campus has found. Michigan Administrative Information Services (MAIS) set-up several print stations to use only 100 percent recycled paper. MAIS hopes all departments on campus will take action too, and continue to make U-M a sustainable leader in higher education.
Nation’s Agenda: Sustainable IT Efforts Prominent
Secretary of Energy, Dr. Steven Chu.
Green IT has a prominent spot on the nation's list of priorities thanks to President Obama’s new cabinet. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, Nobel award-winning physicist, is a major player in the smart computing arena. Prior to joining the cabinet, Chu served as head of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). LBNL led extensive IT energy-saving research and is credited for the majority of the CSCI @ U-M data center / server room best practices.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050 is on the nation’s energy and environment agenda. As an advocate of scientific solutions to climate change, Chu can have a great impact on our country’s energy policies.
