Greenpeace Hits Internet Giants on Energy Sources for Data Centers

SAN FRANCISCO -- Facebook, Apple, Twitter and Amazon flunked under at least one yardstick in a study that Greenpeace released Thursday of 10 high-tech companies and 47 of their data centers, how clean their energy sources are and how much information is released on the subject. There’s a “lack of transparency in the IT sector” about the kinds of energy used, with companies keeping much of the information confidential, said Greenpeace analyst Gary Cook at the Green:Net conference.

Companies are single-mindedly emphasizing energy efficiency in data centers, and meanwhile innovation in sourcing and disclosure of it are suffering, Cook said. Data centers and networks already are enormous users of energy, and their 12 percent annual growth means “efficiency doesn’t get you there” in environmental responsibility, he said. “It’s only part of the equation.” Many companies seek inexpensive electricity, regardless of environmental cost, and so end up using at least some “dirty, low-tech electricity,” Cook said. The companies were rated by transparency, infrastructure siting, mitigation strategy, Clean Energy Index score and “coal intensity."

Yahoo and Google were saluted as among the few companies taking seriously the use of renewable energy supplies. “Akamai is a good example of leadership” on reporting to the public and to customers, Cook said. Also studied were Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Microsoft. Greenpeace probably will expand the scope of its research on the subject, Cook said.

Facebook said it has been discussing with Greenpeace “how we can demonstrate our commitment to the environment while still meeting the needs of our young and growing business.” A written statement added: “Facebook has been focused on efficiency as the best way to manage our environmental impact.” The statement didn’t discuss electricity sources, disclosure of them or Greenpeace’s treatment of the company. Apple declined to comment on the study. We couldn’t reach Twitter or Amazon right away. Greenpeace received responses from some of the companies but as a matter of policy doesn’t disclose discussions with businesses, Cook said.