Information Technology in Green Buildings.

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2 Information Technology in Green Buildings. How can a commercial building claim to be Green when one of the most fundamental elements of the infrastructure, communication and information technology systems, isn t considered in measuring building design and performance? 2

3 IT systems are a fundamental element in the functional design of a building. IT systems are the 21 st century factory tools nobody can work in an office without computers and telephones. 3

4 Information and communications technology equipment in a building is a system of interconnected components. 4

5 IT systems are an essential element of infrastructure and operations in a modern building. IP Communications IT systems run the buildings. Fire Physical Security Visitor Access Lighting Elevator 24 / 7 Monitor Energy WAN HVAC Image courtesy of Cisco Systems, Inc. 5

6 IT systems are an essential element of every modern enterprise. 72% of business managers believe that business strategy is highly dependent on IT (Information Week) Image courtesy of Cisco Systems, Inc. 6

7 IT systems are a significant environmental concern equal to other elements in a building. but aren t included in Green Building rating systems and usually are not included as a basic element in the design process. 7

8 IT systems are a significant environmental concern, at every stage of the product life cycle. Electronic products contain a variety of hazardous constituents. Cathode ray tubes, circuit boards, batteries, and other electronic components often contain toxic materials such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. This growing and changing waste stream presents new challenges and responsibilities in designing and managing products to reduce the environmental impacts associated with each phase of the electronics life cycle acquisition and procurement, operation and maintenance, and end of life management. (Federal Electronics Challenge, 2005) 8

9 E Waste from disposal of electronic equipment is a rapidly growing problem. 9

10 E waste Personal Computers. 130 million new PC s per year globally, 60 million in the U.S. The billionth PC was produced in million PC s will be obsolete by 2007 and only a very small percentage are recycled today. 10

11 E waste PC s are just the most visible problem servers telephone systems networking equipment printers, copiers, and fax machines cell phones, PDA s and smartphones wireless networking equipment storage arrays 11

12 Energy use by IT systems within buildings is significant and growing. IT systems consume power directly and generate heat that requires power for cooling. Office equipment accounts for 26 percent of electricity used in office buildings. This is more than the entire lighting system (22 percent) and almost as much as the chilled water subsystem (28 percent). (State of California, Flex Your Power) Corporate data centers account for more than 50% of the average company s power costs. (Sun Microsystems) 12

13 Materials to support IT systems are a substantial portion of building infrastructure. Communications cabling systems. Electrical power distribution systems. Back up power systems for IT equipment. Cooling systems. Fire suppression systems. 13

14 IT Cabling in Buildings Copper 1.5B pounds per year for building cable. PVC s 11of pounds of plastic per 1k feet of IT cable. Lead PVC sheaths are 2 8% lead by weight Ladder Fuel NEC requires removal of unused cable. NFPA has additional requirements for cables in plenum spaces. Volume of IT cable in buildings >1,300 feet per office worker in the U.S, and growing. 14

15 Waste is generated by IT systems within buildings, both directly and indirectly. 60% of office waste stream is paper from IT systems. Virtually every piece of IT equipment includes universal hazardous wastes like batteries. IT consumables go into the waste stream print cartridges, storage media, accessories unless they are recycled. Packaging waste from IT equipment is not recyclable. 15

16 Floor Space has to be provided for IT systems in buildings. The minimum recommended standard is about 1% of usable floor space for commercial offices. Actual space needs are usually higher, and are growing. 16

17 Indoor Environmental Quality problems may be caused by IT systems within buildings. Indoor Air Quality VOC s, ozone, and particulate pollution from copiers and printers. PDBE s from dust on equipment. PVC s and lead from cables. EMF/EMR radiation from electronic equipment. 17

18 IT systems are a significant environmental concern so why are they ignored in Green Buildings? What's In Renewably grown woods and recyclable building materials. Environmental assessment for procurement of office furniture and furnishings. Recycling of ordinary solid waste Paper, Cans, and Bottles. IEQ effects of paints, finishes, and furnishings. Power consumption, management and monitoring for HVAC and lighting systems. Construction waste. What's Not Virgin mined copper IT Cable covered with non recyclable PVC plastic. Environmental assessment for procurement of IT equipment for offices. Recycling of hazardous wastes, obsolete electronic equipment and batteries. IEQ problems from printers, copiers, PC's, and CRT s. Power consumption, management and monitoring for IT systems. Packaging waste from IT products. 18

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