Level 3 Certifies Three Green Data Centres

Level 3 Communications has taken a move toward green technology by certifying that three of its data centres – including two in London – are powered entirely by renewable energy sources.

The US-based communications services provider said it has received certifications from energy providers in Holland and the UK affirming that one of its colocation centres in Amsterdam and two in London now receive all commercial electric power from renewable energy sources. Those include wind power, hydroelectric power and solar power, according to Level 3.

Documentation

The energy providers have issued Level 3 with proof-of-origin documentation for the power sources and its claims are checked on a regular basis by independent auditors, according to Level 3.

“With three data centres 100 percent reliant on renewable energy for commercial power, Level 3 … demonstrates our commitment to achieving excellence in its protection of the environment and sustainability,” said James Heard, president of European markets for Level 3, in a statement.

Level 3 recently extended its network into a 60,000-square-foot data centre in Chelsea operated by Telehouse.

Colocation data centre services provider Interxion has also taken green power moves in the past few days, announcing last week that its Brick Lane data centre is to be powered using 100 percent renewable energy.

Audit trail

Interxion operates 28 data centres in 11 countries across Europe, and the decision to move its Brick Lane facility to 100 percent renewable energy is part of its efforts to provide a transparent audit trail for its customers.

The decision will see Interxion source its renewable power from UK provider SmartestEnergy. The renewable energy comes from a combination of wind, hydropower and biomass, as well as Good Quality CHP (combined heat and power).

Meanwhile, NYSE Euronext recently said it had become the first carbon-neutral global exchange operator with initiatives including the installation of solar arrays at a data centre in Basildon. NYSE Euronext also purchased renewable energy certificates and carbon offsets as part of the scheme.