The green cloud: How cloud computing can help the public sector achieve energy efficiency targets (2024)

Cloud computing offers an array of benefits for public sector organisations, particularly in light of soaring energy costs. Here, QuickThink Cloud explore the potential savings of the green cloud

Moving to the green cloud isn’t just common sense; it’s also an environmental imperative. Public sector organisations are facing increased pressure to move their operations into the cloud, both from stakeholders and the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy.

And for good reason: cloud computing is capable of improving energy efficiency by 93%, and producing 98% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than on premises IT infrastructure, according to the Microsoft-WSP collaborative study.

Energy Efficiency Targets

With better management of resources, optimised data storage, and the ability to match workloads with renewable energy availability; the green IT revolution is here. It’s time for public sector organisations to empower themselves with a tangible means of making significant energy reductions. We’re here to show you how.

What is the green cloud?

A green cloud is an approach to cloud computing that aims to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact when deploying digital devices and systems. Cloud services are inherently more sustainable than on-premises IT infrastructure. Not only do public cloud data centres consume energy more efficiently and offer fixed pricing structures, but they are also able to consolidate energy demand from multiple organisations – managing resource use better as a result.

Though organisations in the public sector can be wary of the disruption posed by cloud migrations, the entire process can be completed in a matter of days to exemplary standards. And, though each organisation will vary, one report contends that cloud migrations have the potential to reduce energy consumption by 65%, and carbon emission by 84%. It even puts savings on the total cost of ownership at 30-40%!

For many public sector organisations navigating public pressure and rising energy costs, these statistics will be enticing. The good news is that harnessing the power of green cloud computing is within your reach – you just need an expert cloud partner to take you there.

How Cloud Computing Can Boost Energy Efficiency in the Public Sector

Less Hardware

Migrating on premises IT systems to the cloud means organisations won’t require their own hardware to power software and applications. Instead of organisations managing their own equipment, a cloud hosting provider can take the burden, hosting and deploying IT infrastructure with greater efficiency at scale.

That means organisations will consume less energy and produce far less end of life IT waste. In 2019, electronic waste generation reached 53.6 million metric tonnes – a figure that urgently needs to be addressed.

High Density Storage

Servers need to be powered 24/7 by high carbon equipment, consuming vast amounts of energy and emitting large quantities of greenhouse gases in the process. Cloud computing requires less physical hardware to run large workloads and store large quantities of data, making it a more efficient method of operating ERP systems and applications. And using fewer resources means cutting organisational costs.

Consolidated Demand

Working with a cloud hosting provider to manage their IT infrastructure allows organisations to run multiple applications on the same server and even securely share server space with other organisations to limit wasted energy. That means overall fewer physical servers are required to deploy the same ERP software and applications, and resources can be shared via the network. Organisations working across multiple locations can also consolidate their cloud infrastructure, with many who have migrated reporting faster speeds – and there- fore reduced energy consumption.

Efficient Resource Use

A key feature to note about cloud computing is its flexibility. That means providers can dynamically scale resources up and down in order to meet demand, but limit potential energy wastage. This flexible allocation of resources means organisations only pay for what they use, offering another avenue for cost reductions, and cutting direct emissions. Cloud providers can also manage workload according to renewable energy availability, enabling those in the public sector to reduce their reliance on carbon-derived fuel.

Optimised Data Centre

It’s important to understand that not all cloud services are equal. Cloud data centres are naturally able to operate with better energy efficiency due to their scale, but not all of them will be implementing sustainability best practices. From the cooling system used by the data centre to the management of electronic waste, a number of factors contribute to the overall carbon footprint of your provider. At QuickThink Cloud our hosting partners have won awards for their energy saving initiatives, including the SIG GIGA Trophy for the implementation of innovative systems for cooling their data centres efficiently.

Indirect Benefits

Switching to the cloud can boost organisational sustainability in a number of other ways, too. First and foremost, it facilitates the trend for hybrid and remote working, minimising the emissions produced and energy required for staff to travel to and from work. It can also enable organisations to harness the power of virtual productivity tools and produce less paper waste as a result. For any public sector organisation looking to improve its environmental profile, moving to the cloud is an essential first step.

Public Sector Cloud Hosting: It’s Time to Make the Switch

Energy Efficient Cloud Hosting for the Public Sector

Rapidly increasing energy costs and increased calls for the public sector to adhere to environmental targets mean it’s never been a better time to switch to the cloud.

QuickThink Cloud provides public sector organisations with ERP and UNIT4 cloud hosting, managed services and expert technical consultancy. We believe the public sector deserves to reap the rewards of streamlined, optimised, energy efficient IT infrastructure – and should never settle for second best. Ready to go green? Let’s make your transformation happen.