Running a data center undoubtedly takes a lot of energy. Especially when her name companys Microsoft, and you are the largest technology company on the planet. But this does not necessarily mean that the data center is harmful to the environment.
The company has just announced that it will use two wind farms to fully replenish the Cheyenne data center in Wyoming from renewable sources.
Microsoft has reportedly entered into an agreement with the Bloom Wind farm in Kansas for the concession of 178 megawatts, but also with the farms Silver Sage and Happy Jack farms in Wyoming for granting an additional 59 megawatts.
This is not the only energy deal that Microsoft has closed in recent years.
The company has already closed an 75 megawatt concession deal with a wind farm in Illinois, and another one for a 100 megawatt concession with a wind farm in Texas. Overall, Microsoft is currently purchasing 500 megawatt energy from wind power.
Interestingly, the company also revealed that the data center backup generators will be used as a "secondary source" for the local network. This means that it will provide energy for the local community in times of high demand.
These backup generators run on natural gas, which despite being a fossil fuel, is far less ecologically detrimental than our well-known oil.
Microsoft hopes that by 2018, it will use about a total of 50% renewable energy, and the above agreement shows that the company is on the right track.