The Challenge:
To initiate a Canadian consortium of industry, universities and government agencies with the common goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions arising from information & communication technology (ICT) services.
Project Overview:
The GreenStar Network (GSN) Project aims to develop protocols, procedures, tools and use cases around building, maintaining and utilizing ICT services that are reliant upon renewable energy sources.
The GreenStar Network will enable connected datacentres, called nodes, to use renewable energy sources and facilitate the research necessary to determine the viability of future green networks. The nodes, located across Canada, are powered by solar rays, wind or water sources.
The project is innovative because it focuses on the relationship between networks and nodes in order to provide Green ICT services.
Cybera’s Role:
Cybera’s participation in this project involves managing the Calgary-based node within the network. GreenStar nodes are connected to the research network infrastructure by optical fiber. This particular node will be powered by solar energy, and it will draw its energy from eight solar panels, each producing over 230 watts of power. The node and panels are located on the northern rooftop of the Alistair Ross Technology Centre, in the University of Calgary Research Park. Installation of the node will be finished in June.
Cybera is also participating in the GSN Project’s creation of the world’s first Carbon Measurement Protocol for ICT services. This protocol is based on ISO 14064 standard, but its specialization to ICT will require synergistic solutions relating to power and performance measurement, network and system operation.
How this project affects you:
As demand for ICT services increases, understanding how to reduce harmful GHG emissions within this system will benefit all Canadians. By utilizing ‘clean’ energy sources, the growth and development of technology will have a minimal impact on the environment.
By taking a leadership role in Green ICT, through the GSN Project, Canada will be one of the key innovators in this area. The project will be a cornerstone for the continued innovation and Canadian leadership in Green ICT. This project will connect a pan-Canadian network eventually connecting with nodes in Ireland, Belgium, Spain and US.
Testing the Network:
One of the first users of the GreenStar Network will be GeoChronos, a Cybera project funded by CANARIE’s Network-Enabled Platforms Program. GeoChronos enables Earth Observation Science researchers from across the globe to share scientific data and applications through a web portal. GSN researchers will monitor GeoChronos’ power consumption on the green-powered node and compare this with its power consumption in a traditional datacentre environment. This data, combined with other user case scenarios at other nodes on the GreenStar Network, are hoped to help determine the viability of a future “green” network.
Investment:
The GreenStar Network project is funded by CANARIE’s Green IT Program. The Greenstar Network was the largest funding recipient, receiving $2 million to develop this data network.
Participants:
Project led by Université du Quebec's École de technologie supérieure (ETS)
Canadian Standards Association - Climate Change Services
The Grid Research Centre, University of Calgary
Cybera
RackForce Networks Inc.
Prompt Inc.
Bastionhost Inc.
Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
iDeal Consulting Inc.
Communications Research Centre Canada
Inocybe Technologies Inc.
For more information please visit the GreenStar Network website. To learn more about Cybera’s projects, please contact us at projects@cybera.ca
