When thinking about Formula 1, the last thing that would
come to our mind is Green. With high power engines achieving high speeds and
racing all over the world, it sounds more like the antithesis of green. Infact,
Formula 1 carbon emissions emitted directly from races and testing represent
less than 0.3% of the total carbon footprint. The highest amount of CO2
emissions come actually from two sources: moving the cars and the equipment
required for the races around the globe, and the research and manufacturing
facilities that drive each F1 team.
In this sense, F1 teams are considering to reduce
their carbon footprint. For example, McLaren F1 team announced on December 2011
that they are carbon neutral. According to a study, F1 teams have reduced their
carbon footprint by 7% between 2009 and 2011. But is it just an altruist
decision that drives this reduction? And how is this related to IT?
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The Renault "Technocentre"
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The Renault F1 team actually looked into its IT
department in order to be a champion in its green initiatives. More than moved
by altruistic interest, it was done as a cost saving initiative. When Renault
needed a new data center in 2007, they actually implemented a new architecture
infrastructure using optimization and virtualization that was 25% more energy
efficient that the previously used "Forced air" cooling models.
At the same time, they started changing their
policies; instead of flying people from one factory to another, they acquired
video conferencing technology that allowed people to communicate as effectively
without the actual physical movement. Finally, they managed to replace wind
testing tunnels, with virtual simulations, that allowed for a 25% reduction in
energy consumption.
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| McLaren F1 fleet |
In the case of the McLaren team, they installed
monitoring devices in their fleet, which allowed them to monitor the driving
efficiency, training their drivers and changing their routes in order to reduce
carbon emissions and save on fuel.
In this sense, Formula 1 teams are taking advantage
of Green IT technologies in order to become more competitive from a cost saving
perspective.
Sources:
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