Running a data center undoubtedly requires a lot of energy. Especially when your company name is Microsoft, and you're the largest technology company on the planet. But that doesn't necessarily mean that a data center is bad for the environment.
The company just announced that it will use two wind farms, with the goal of powering its Cheyenne, Wyoming data center entirely from renewable sources.
Microsoft has reportedly signed an agreement with the Bloom Wind farm in Kansas for 178 megawatts, as well as with the Silver Sage and Happy Jack farms in Wyoming for an additional 59 megawatts.
This isn't the only energy deal Microsoft has struck in recent years.
The company has already closed a deal to lease 75 megawatts from a wind farm in Illinois, and another to lease 100 megawatts from a wind farm in Texas. In total, Microsoft is currently purchasing 500 megawatts of power from wind sources.
Interestingly, the company also revealed that the data center's backup generators will be used as a "secondary source" for the local grid. This means that it will provide power for the local community during times of high demand.
These backup generators run on natural gas, which despite being a fossil fuel, is much less ecologically damaging than our familiar oil.
Microsoft hopes to use about 50% of its energy from renewable sources by 2018, and the above agreement shows that the company is on the right track.
