Green cloud: what you need to know

In a world where digital technology plays an increasingly dominant role, the environmental footprint of these technologies has never been more relevant. Among them, the cloud has become indispensable. But what is its impact on our planet? Does a truly eco-friendly cloud exist?

In the broader context of digital transformation, companies are increasingly turning to green cloud computing as part of their IT sustainability practices. The shift to sustainable cloud solutions reflects a growing commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, and the need for long-term emissions reduction strategies.

I. The cloud: an energy-hungry universe

A) The hidden energy behind the virtual

The virtual world, with its speed and near-instant accessibility, often feels intangible and immaterial to many users. However, this apparent intangibility relies on a very real and resource-intensive infrastructure. Behind every search query, streamed video, or file backed up to the cloud, thousands of data centers worldwide operate tirelessly. These data centers, sometimes called the “factories of the 21st century,” house servers, routers, switches, and storage devices that require constant electricity.

One of the biggest challenges for data centers is heat management. These facilities generate significant heat due to the continuous operation of machinery. If not properly regulated, this heat can damage equipment and reduce efficiency. As a result, a substantial portion of energy consumption is dedicated to cooling systems, whether through chillers, cooling towers, or innovative methods like immersion cooling, all of which have their own environmental impact.

To improve energy management and reduce the reliance on traditional cooling, many cloud service providers now implement advanced cooling solutions, such as AI-regulated ventilation and thermal zoning, contributing to significant power distribution efficiency and improved data center optimization.

While technological advancements have improved energy efficiency, the exponential growth in digital demand often offsets these gains. Even with more efficient data centers, the total amount of energy consumed continues to rise due to increasing data usage.

Additionally, the implementation of energy-efficient algorithms and advanced monitoring tools helps providers track power usage and optimize workloads in real time, reducing unnecessary energy expenditure.

In short, behind the intangible virtual world lies a tangible energy and environmental reality. Acknowledging this impact is the first step toward finding viable, sustainable solutions. Under these conditions, the notion of an “eco-friendly cloud” quickly loses credibility.

B) The oxymoron of the “eco-friendly cloud”

Terminology plays a crucial role in how we perceive and address issues. The term “eco-friendly” often evokes an ideal, harmonious relationship with nature. However, when applied to the cloud and digital technology, this harmony seems more aspirational than real. True ecological impact would involve actively regenerating the environment—for example, a cloud that captures carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and releases oxygen, much like trees do.

In recent years, growing awareness of technology’s environmental impact has led to terms like “green technology,” “eco-friendly,” or, as mentioned, “eco-friendly cloud.” In reality, even the “greenest” technologies come at a cost to the planet. Whether it’s the materials used, energy consumed, or waste produced, every technological component leaves a footprint.

Calling a technology or cloud “eco-friendly” can be misleading. Even if a server or data center runs on 100% renewable energy, the construction of renewable energy infrastructure still has an environmental impact. Similarly, the production and disposal of equipment carry environmental costs. To truly understand the ecological footprint, the entire production chain must be considered.

This lifecycle thinking aligns with eco-friendly practices and the logic of the circular economy, where resources are reused and repurposed to reduce waste and environmental degradation. Concepts like green hardware design and component recycling further reinforce this approach.

While “ecological” suggests harmony with nature, “sustainability” is a more comprehensive term. It acknowledges that zero impact may not be achievable but emphasizes minimizing that impact as much as possible. Adopting a sustainable approach means continuously seeking ways to improve, innovate, and balance technological progress with environmental respect.

Leading cloud providers now embed sustainability initiatives across their operations, leveraging sustainability analytics to monitor performance and guide innovation. These efforts reflect a move toward green computing models that prioritize efficiency and environmental responsibility.

At Leviia, we previously used the term “eco-friendly cloud” to describe our environmental initiatives. However, as we deepened our understanding of these issues and stayed informed about sustainability developments, we realized this term was misleading and didn’t fully reflect the reality of our efforts. We believe in transparency and honesty with our clients and partners. Through this article, we aim to set the record straight. We want to highlight our commitment to a sustainable cloud, a concept that better aligns with our vision and efforts to reduce our carbon footprint while delivering high-quality services.

In conclusion, while the dream of an “eco-friendly cloud” is a noble aspiration, a more pragmatic approach is essential.

II. Toward a sustainable cloud, not an eco-friendly one

A) Optimizing resource consumption

For companies in the cloud sector, like Leviia, this means deeply reflecting on how our solutions and services consume energy.

Partnering with a provider like OVH, which primarily relies on renewable energy sources, has been a major strategic step for our company. Aiming for 100% renewable energy sourcing by 2025 is not only ambitious but also demonstrates a clear vision for the future.

Beyond choosing the type of energy used, the strategy for deploying and managing that energy is critical. Leviia’s decision to pool servers is part of this energy-efficiency approach. In the cloud world, pooling means consolidating multiple services or applications onto a single server rather than isolating them on dedicated infrastructure. This approach offers several benefits.

First, it maximizes server capacity utilization. A pooled server often operates at a higher efficiency level than multiple underutilized servers. Second, it reduces the total number of servers needed, meaning fewer devices to power and cool, thereby lowering energy demands.

At the same time, by consolidating services through virtualization technology, organizations reduce physical hardware needs, which leads to less energy-intensive cloud infrastructure and more effective resource utilization.

Pooling also enhances adaptability. By consolidating resources, it’s easier to redistribute capacity based on fluctuating needs, leading to greater responsiveness and ongoing optimization. As a result, this approach not only delivers significant energy savings but also improves the ratio of energy consumed to data processed, significantly reducing the carbon footprint per unit of data.

This model also creates cost savings from green cloud adoption, making sustainable strategies not only ethical but economically attractive for businesses.

By optimizing resource consumption, Leviia and similar companies can also reap financial and operational benefits. Over the long term, renewable energy can prove less costly. Additionally, by pooling resources, clients gain access to capacity and service quality that would be difficult to achieve with small, dedicated servers. This pooling enables clients to benefit from a more robust and high-performing infrastructure.

Such pooling approaches contribute to waste reduction strategies and support sustainable practices that scale over time.

B) Technological innovations for sustainability

In recent years, the cloud industry, though initially criticized for its carbon footprint, has adapted. Awareness and technological ingenuity have led to promising innovations. These advancements are a cornerstone of public cloud sustainability initiatives that seek to align performance with ecological responsibility.

a) Underwater data centers: Installing data centers in oceans may seem counterintuitive at first, but it offers significant advantages. The cool temperatures of the ocean floor eliminate the need for energy-intensive cooling systems. Additionally, submerged data centers can be powered by tidal turbines, harnessing ocean currents to provide a renewable and autonomous energy source. Their impact on ocean warming would be negligible compared to the vastness of the seas.

b) Solar-powered servers: While solar energy has long been associated with residential rooftops or large-scale solar farms, its use in data centers is a recent advancement. Facilities equipped with solar panels can generate some or all of their electricity needs, reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources and lowering operational costs.

Solar-driven systems play a pivotal role in carbon footprint reduction by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources in powering green data centers.

c) Ambient air cooling: Instead of relying on energy-intensive air conditioning, some modern data centers are designed to use outside air for cooling. In regions with moderate climates, this method can be effective, minimizing energy consumption while maintaining optimal temperatures.

d) Modular architecture and scalability: Reducing waste is key. Previously, many data centers were built with excess capacity to anticipate growth. Today, a modular approach allows capacity to be added only when needed, avoiding energy waste in underutilized facilities.

As more businesses accelerate their cloud migration, sustainability becomes a strategic priority. Companies adopting energy-efficient infrastructure are not only contributing to global climate goals but also strengthening their market positioning as responsible digital leaders.

Why the green cloud is more than just a trend

While the idea of an “eco-friendly cloud” remains an ideal rather than a tangible reality, it serves as a guiding star for an industry striving to align with contemporary environmental concerns.

Aiming for sustainability, rather than ecological perfection, is a more pragmatic and achievable approach. This vision encourages industry players to innovate, adopt environmentally friendly technologies, and rethink how they consume energy.

In sum, achieving a greener cloud will require innovation, strategic investment, and a shared industry-wide commitment to carbon offsetting, energy efficiency, and intelligent design. The road ahead includes leveraging machine learning optimization for predictive energy needs and balancing usage through smart grids and automation.