The Asbru Enterprise Park in Iceland is set to become the next ideal location for data center management and services, due to the country’s renewable green energy sources.

Verne Holdings, the partnering group of wholesale data developer Verne Global has recently signed a contract with the Wellcome Trust to aid the completion of a 44-acre data center campus at the Asbru Enterprise Park in order to create a powerful solution giving users the opportunity to go green without paying higher rates.

“What makes Verne Global unique is that it is able to offer its customers a cost effective, yet truly green solution to their data center needs by providing the benefits of Iceland’s 100 percent free cooling, renewable energy resources and predictable forecasting of energy pricing,” stated Jeff Monroe, CEO of Verne Global.

Furthermore, the Icelandic project Greenqloud is in discussions with Verne Global about data center construction. Eirikur Hrafnsson, CEO of Greenqloud, says that there has been a recent “gold rush” as a result of the devaluation of the Icelandic Krona, the IT history of the country and the emission-free power grid.

The idea behind Greenqloud is to rent out spaces within data centers located in Iceland, then to sell cloud computing services to web companies and individuals across the world. However, what makes this project unique is that it embraces the use of clean power and manages company carbon footprint levels. The cloud computing services include virtual server hosting, data storage, scientific data processing and software as a service infrastructure.

The Greenqloud project is set to launch a small-scale beta service by the fourth quarter of 2010. After that, Greenqloud wants to launch on a much larger, public scale in 2011.

A number of other high-profile customers are also using data centers across Iceland, including web browsing developer Opera Software. The company has been announced as the first customer of the Thor Data Center in Hafnarfjordur.

“The reason Opera Software came to sign an agreement with Thor Data Center is that the company can offer us energy from 100 percent renewable sources,” commented Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner, founder of Opera Software.

For further information about data centers in Iceland visit http://asbru.is/English/Energy/

The Geothermal Power Plant Technician course at Keilir is split into two separate programs, which are then spread across two years. The first year is an Associate of Applied Science Degree (worth 60 ECTS), where students receive hands-on training in running and maintaining power plants. The second year is an Associate of Science Degree (also worth 60 ECTS), which is more focused on the academic methods and techniques used for planning daily operations, maintenance and purchasing equipment/spare parts – the combination of the two results in a total of 120 ECTS.

Students will show a great deal of initiative, implement improvements and perform follow-up actions throughout the program. Students will also be trained with a ‘sense of ownership’ towards running, operating and maintaining geothermal power plants. This will of course be beneficial towards the impact of long-term employment opportunities.

In addition, students will learn how to significantly reduce maintenance costs through specialist training, without the need for a manufacturer’s service. The Geothermal Power Plant Technician Program is available from September 2011 at the Keilir Institute of Technology in Keflavik, Iceland.

To find out more regarding geothermal power in Iceland, the course and Keilir visit http://en.keilir.net.

Leading printing company Oddi Printing, has received a certification from the Nordic Ecolabel for its leading environmental awareness within the Icelandic printing industry.

Iceland’s Environmental Minister presented Mr. Jon Omar Erlingsson, CEO at Oddi Printing, a certification from the Nordic Ecolabel for its leading environmental awareness and practice in the Icelandic printing industry.

Environmental issues and concerns have been an ongoing process throughout the decades for Oddi Printing. The printing company has been presented with a number of awards for its healthy environmental practices and standards. To name just a few, the plant was awarded with the Reykjavik Environmental award in 1997 and the Ministry of the Environment Award in 2004.

The presentation was a joyous occasion, marking the end of a 12 month process of mapping out all the different environmental practices already in place at the plant, as well as upgrading others.

The company’s certification by the Nordic Ecolabel is highly important for Oddi’s customers in order for them to know that there are few printing plants operating on this environmental consciousness. Pending the customers wishes, the Nordic Ecolabel logo, the Swan, can now be placed on all books, catalogues, magazines and other printed material from Oddi Printing’s plant in Reykjavik, Iceland.

To find out more information about Oddi Printing and its environmental practices visit www.oddi.com/content/view/67/91

Online news channel IceNews provides all the up-to-date news coverage on the current Iceland volcano and the consequential flight delays across most of Europe as it unravels.

The online news channel has been reporting on all the major events surrounding the volcanic eruptions, since the beginning of the first eruption at Fimmvorduhals, and now the current eruption at the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in the south of Iceland.

IceNews has also been updating the public on crucial details regarding flight delays across most of Europe, information on the flights available as they happen and the opinions of those stranded in Iceland.

In addition, visitors to IceNews are encouraged to submit comments and to join in discussion on all articles published.

For examples of the latest news stories at IceNews, concerning the volcano, flights across Europe and reactions of the public, click either of the following:
Tourists in Iceland treated well during flight restrictions, a report on positive tourist treatment in Reykjavik, including links to interviews with those affected visiting Iceland.
Icelandair keeps the channels open between the US and Europe, an update on opened Icelandair flights to Trondheim, Norway, allowing passengers to commute between the US and Europe.
Iceland volcano coming to an end? A study from the University of Iceland Geology Department into the activity at the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, and other future possible volcanic activity.

IceNews is an independent news resource and media channel, published in English, focusing on stories across Scandinavia, Iceland and Northern Europe. IceNews covers all news stories from current events, politics, entertainment, travel and events in Scandinavia and Northern Europe.

To keep up-to-date on flight delays across Europe and news on the volcanic eruptions in Iceland as they happen visit www.icenews.is

Iceland’s recent volcanic activity at the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in the southern region of the country has drawn a lot of attention from geologists and volcanologists worldwide. In addition to the abundance of tourists flocking to see the volcano erupting, scientists and students from all around the world are coming to Iceland to examine, research and survey these enormous forces of nature in a country that is constantly being shaped by both fire and ice.

Icelanders, over the past century, have become world leaders in the use of renewable energy sources by learning to harness the forces that are present in Iceland as an indigenous and clean energy source. Over 80 percent of total energy use in Iceland comes from renewable energy sources. With only imported fossil fuels for the transportation sector and fishing fleet, this is by far the highest average of renewable energy use in the world.

Week long summer courses focusing on the utilisation of renewable energy and use of alternative fuels in Iceland are offered by Keilir, the Atlantic Center of Excellence. During the course, participants will learn about the harnessing and use of various renewable energy sources, as well as experiencing the awesome nature that fosters the energy, such as the surroundings of the recent and ongoing volcanic activities, glacier tours, excursions to the mid Atlantic drift zone and other natural sites.

Keilir’s courses focus on the effective use and harnessing of renewable energy in Iceland and include site visits to geothermal power plants in the Reykjanes peninsula, hydro power plants in South Iceland, the development and use of alternative fuels (biofuels, hydrogen, methane, methanol) for the transportation sector, and small scale use of renewable energy sources. In addition participants will get an introduction to energy policies, environmental aspects and energy efficiency. Focus will be on a broad overview of the field of renewable energy with emphasis on local expertise and experience in Iceland.

Further details about Keilir’s renewable energy courses can be found at http://en.keilir.net/courses-in-english/courses_2010

Further images of Iceland volcano site by Ólafur Kr. Ólafsson available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/olafur/sets/72157623713658930

APC by Schneider Electric is to present cost-effective ways firms can embrace clean energy as part of the Green Debate at the Data Centre Europe Conference at Espaces Antipolis, near Nice in France from 22 – 23 April 2010. This fitting discussion comes at a time when companies are all too aware of the need to consider the environment when assessing their outsourcing requirements.

In a tough economic climate, firms will naturally want to put cost savings first, particularly as the cost of energy is on the increase. But with outside influences focussing on green issues firms no longer have the luxury of choosing between cost savings and the environment and will have to accommodate both.

The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), a sector of the UK Government, aims to reduce the level of carbon emissions produced by ‘low energy-intensive’ organisations by around 1.2 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2020. However, with power at the forefront of data centre design and cost, this Government interference had left the sector with a high price to pay.

Philip Low, managing director of BroadGroup commented: “Although carbon reduction is the global goal, the implementation of schemes by individual European governments does vary. The UK government’s CRC scheme for example is widely criticised, and has not factored in the need for enterprises to migrate to cloud services as part of the growth and expansion by data centres.”

Mr Paul-François Cattier, VP France, Benelux & French speaking Africa, comments on how APC by Schneider Electric can help firms with data centre outsourcing requirements: “Our company provides enterprise customers with a fully integrated solution to optimise their data centre power and cooling consumptions in a cost effective manner.”

For more information about the event and to book tickets visit www.datacentres.com/DCE/ there is an early bird discount available for those who book by 12 March 2010. The Data Centre Europe Conference takes place at Espaces Antipolis, near Nice in France from 22 – 23 April 2010.

For more information about the UK Government’s Carbon Reduction Commitment log on to www.carbonreductioncommitment.info

Contact:
Kirsty Marshall
VP Communications
+44 (0)208 964 0260
Kirsty@vp-pr.com

Verne Global, a wholesale data-centre hosting company, has searched the world for a location offering cheap power, easy cooling and reliable communications – Iceland’s unlimited renewable energy, cool temperatures and soon-to-be four transoceanic cables proves to be the ideal environment.

Verne Global has decided to set up their headquarters at the Asbru Enterprise Park, in Keflavik, Iceland. This enterprise park has been redeveloped from the abandoned North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) air force base, originally closed in 2006. Asbru Enterprise Park has re-invented a community of entrepreneurs and businesses; Verne Global being one of many. The data hosting company now holds two centres converted from ammunition storage depots.

Iceland was chosen as the ideal location as the country’s unlimited geothermal activity can power data centres for incredibly cheap, where as areas in the United States energy prices are routinely a worry.

“You might be able to find a place in the U.S. that has relatively cheap power, but the volatility (of those prices) is the problem,” Jeff Monroe , CEO of Verne Global, explains. While some states, such as Iowa, are banking on their renewable energy projects, “if you have energy that is 20 cents a kilowatt-hour, no one is going to go there because it is too expensive,” he says.

Verne Global calculates approximately that a mid-sized company requiring 20,000 to 25,000 servers could save around $100 million in a decade by moving to Iceland.

“Iceland allows companies to go green and save money at the same time…In Iceland, there is no cost to going green,” Monroe states.

To find out more information about the Asbru Enterprise Park visit http://asbru.is/English

The Icelandic bank, Islandsbanki (formerly Glitnir) has issued its third annual U.S. Geothermal Energy Market Report in continuation of its research activities in geothermal energy. The report provides an updated overview on geothermal energy development in the United States, highlighting not only the increasing amount of activity in the sector, but also the elements that have helped spur the development.

In the U.S today there are around 144 geothermal energy projects in development with a combined capacity of up to 6,400 MW, which is an increase of about 60 percent compared to last year. While the state of California continues to lead in installed capacity, Nevada has even more projects in the pipeline with over 3,300 MW in development.

However, some of the further advanced projects are currently facing a number of challenges related to securing bridge finances that need to be developed beyond the drilling stage and also debt financing for construction. Current projects need a combined investment sum of US $26 billion, of which US $11 billion are for equity investment needs and US $15 billion for construction financing.

The stimulus legislation has definitely helped spur interest in the sector, with the investment tax credits, cash grants, loan guarantees and research development allocations all having a positive impact on the industry. Nevertheless, it will have to be seen what affect the tight time period of the loan guarantee program will have on most of the projects.

The Geothermal Energy Expo 2009, that took place at the Peppermill Resort & Casino in Reno/ Nevada between October 4-7, is the largest gathering of industry players from all over the world and this year’s event was the biggest ever hosting over 120 exhibitors and attracting thousands of visitors.

Islandsbanki has been represented at the event for the past three years, highlighting the committment that the bank has to the geothermal energy industry in the U.S.

To view the 3rd annual market report or for further information, visit www.islandsbanki.is/energy

Electricity and biofuels are quickly changing the way people power their cars while also having a positive effect on people’s finances and the environment. The leadership role of the Nordic countries of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Finland in this field are highlighted at the upcoming Driving Sustainability conference in Reykjavík in September.

In Norway, over three thousand electric cars are on the road. Government policy dictates that charging their batteries is free of charge, zero emissions EVs get free parking, can drive on bus lanes in the city, get free rides on state run ferries (there are a lot of them in Norway) and there is no VAT on electric cars in Norway, so they’re reasonably priced. ‘Think’ is the leading producer of competitive electric city cars in the world. In addition, Norway produces the tiny Buddy EV electric car.

Sweden is the world leader in using biogas for vehicles and many taxis and buses have been running on biogas and ethanol since 1996 and the biogas business continues to boom in Sweden.

The country’s carmakers are also technological leaders, with Volvo in a joint venture with energy company Vattenfall on getting plug-in hybrids on the market by 2012 and Scania already testing six hybrid ethanol buses on the streets of Stockholm.

In Denmark, Better Place is working with Dong Energy on setting up charging infrastructure for electric cars to be powered with electricity from the country’s many wind mills.

Finland is a leader in biodiesel production and also home to Valmet Automotive which is taking over the production of Norway’s Think this year, and is also the producer of the exciting Fisker Karma luxury plug-in hybrid.

Iceland is the world leader in renewable energy with 80 percent of its energy consumption from renewable hydro and geothermal sources. The tiny island nation has been testing hydrogen cars and buses for years. Last year Iceland signed an agreement with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on fleet testing of the electric i-MiEV and the development of service network for such cars. Following Iceland’s economic collapse in 2008, the Icelandic Government has been working on a holistic energy policy with the aim of domestically produced renewable energy taking over from imported fossil fuels.

More details on these issues and the Driving Sustainability Conference in general are available at www.drivingsustainability.org

Marorka is one of the world’s leading companies working to lower the global impact of shipping on the environment while saving the industry money with better efficiency. Marorka is one of several innovative Icelandic companies taking part in the Nordic Climate Solutions 2009 conference in Copenhagen this September.

 Marorka is an Iceland-based technology company with strong representation elsewhere in Europe and Canada. The company creates cutting edge energy management systems  for the international shipping industry to help save money by using less fuel and emitting less harmful greenhouse gases.Marorka relies on its team of highly skilled personnel to keep developing the latest ideas to help shipping companies meet their ever-harsher economic and environmental obligations.

 Marorka has decided to take part in the Nordic Climate Solutions conference 2009 next week in Copenhagen, because the conference is Northern Europe’s largest forum of experts in both transport and energy, from both sides of the ‘fence’. This means that the event is given legitimacy from its official Nordic Council of Ministers backing and from the participation of scientists; but is also a huge event for business leaders.

Although the energy and the transport sectors are always very closely linked, there can be very few companies with one foot so firmly planted in each camp as Marorka. Energy efficiency in transport is what the company does – and if it continues winning awards for doing it right, all potential stakeholders benefit.

For more information on the vital and pioneering energy efficiency work going on at Marorka, visit www.marorka.is