How Green Was My Videoconference? Geoff Constable, Welsh Video Network Hats I am Currently Wearing… Geoff Constable: Hats I am Currently

How Green Was My Videoconference? Geoff Constable, Welsh Video Network

Hats that I wear…

Video Technologies Advisory Service…

Information Services

How Green Was My Videoconference?



• WVN Update (Studios; Training; R & D)

• JISC Greening ICT Programme

• Some stuff I have learned lately

• How Green Was My Videoconference?

• WVN Studios F.E. /H.E. Upgrade now completed – 44 x funded studios + 9 x 50/50 funded studios.• Installed between 14th April 2008 – 7th December 2009• Studios tidier, single cabinet, due to flat screens, better due to High Definition cameras and screens• Improved user interface• More eco-friendly, more equipment powered down when studio is in standby• Greater remote access for WVN support: • AMX touchpanel; Netlinx rack; codec; epower switch (in future)


WVN Update: Field Service


WVN Update: New Studio Energy Options


WVN Update: New Studio Power Down


• WVN Field Service now seven people including co-ordinator – geographically dispersed• Better response times• Other projects: NHS; variety of compact studios for other parts of the public sector; Bangor / Aberystwyth Lecture Theatres which support teaching collaboration • Future Developments: stronger SLA’s

WVN Update: Teaching and Learning


• Guest Speakers for schools: poets, dramatists, authors, scientists, geographers, engineers…• Many have involved speakers from H.E. – a useful marketing tool (e.g. American Studies).• Have run “Question Time” events linking schools and colleges to Assembly Members.• A wide variety of (old and new) training sessions continue to be available: www.wvn.ac.uk/learninghome.htm.• A series on Green issues is planned for the autumn.• Get in touch if you can offer ‘content’ to schools…

WVN Update: Developments


• Continued exploration of emerging technologies:• SIP, Desk-top clients, portable videoconferencing• Grateful for suggestions from other organisations for future services from WVN?• E.G. temporary event management; Loan of specialised equipment…• JVCS has new services: new look and functions for Booking Service, recording, streaming, JVCS Desk Top, HD• PSBA now rolled out and VC infrastructure in place for education• Help desk developments: 0300 688 0688; RMS; New phone system


• ICT Energy and carbon emissions (2% global; 4% UK)• Carbon Reduction Commitment• Funding Councils (HEFCW: 3% year-on-year CO2 emissions reduction from April 2011)• Improved Efficiency• Enhanced Reputation• New ways of working• Reduced Costs

JISC: Greening ICT: Drivers


JISC: Greening ICT: So far

• Suste-IT: year long project looking at Green ICT in H.E. and F.E.• Report, briefing papers, case studies• Carbon Footprinting Tool• Thin/thick client tool• http://www.susteit.org.uk/

The Getting Greener programme will allow JISC to deliver on its key strategic priority of enabling the greening of ICT in the Higher and Further Education sectors through organisational change and harnessing the research strengths of the sector to help deliver solutions for education and the wider constituency.




JISC: Greening ICT: Projects

• Wake-on LAN and powerdown solutions• Reducing energy use • Re-engineering server rooms• Flexible working – processes and practices

• JISC Tech Watch Report: Low Carbon Computing• http://bit.ly/1GjvlZ• Covers best practices; standards for metrics; strategic guidance for senior managers; quick fixes and longer term solutions; roadmap for low carbon ICT



Global Temperatures 1850 - 2010

Some stuff I have learnt…

A clear correlation can be seen between the three global-average temperature records, which were created independently. They all show a marked warming trend, particularly over the past three decades. Data provided courtesy of NCDC/NESDIS/NOAA and NASA GISSSource: Met Office (http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climatechange/science/explained/explained5.html)


More stuff I have learnt…

Source: Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change


Global Temperatures 1850 - 2009

More stuff I have learnt…




But… How Green Was My Videoconference?

• One of a number of projects funded for 2010, others include Greening events, cloud computing, HPC power management, green printing, thin clients, etc…We are:• Measuring the power consumption of videoconferencing studios and equipment.• Researching the ‘whole of life’ energy costs of videoconferencing• Assessing actual videoconferences to see how much travel (and therefore Greenhouse gases) have been saved.• Working with individuals and organisations in Wales to assess the issues and trade-offs.• Producing Case Studies and Reports on the transition, the pros and cons of videoconferencing


WHESDN Example…

• Cardiff (Round Trip: 220 miles; time: 5 hours 02 minutes)• Pontypridd (200 m; 4h 36m)• Swansea (156m; 4h 14m)• Bangor (173m; 4h 02m)• Lampeter (58m; 1h 36m)• = Meeting totals — 807 miles; 19h, 30m• = 807 x (Defra Conversion factor for a car less than 1.4 engine) (40px807 = £322.80)• 0.2947/mile x 807• = 2.5 working days (@ approx 8 hours/day)• = 238kg CO2 released.• All times and distances from theaa.com• defra.gov.uk/environment/business/reporting/pdf/conversion-factors.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc3Q3qRdgTM


Gregynog Example… (Average car = 0.331 Kg/mile)

• Cardiff (Round Trip: 212 miles; 70.17 Kg CO2)• Swansea (206.6m; 76.06 Kg CO2)• Bangor (176.4m; 58.39 Kg CO2)• Aberystwyth (87.6m; 28.99 Kg CO2)• Wrexham (92.4m; 30.58 Kg CO2)• Lampeter (141.8m; 46.93 Kg CO2)

• All distances from theaa.com

• defra.gov.uk/environment/business/reporting/pdf/20090928-guidelines-ghg-conversion-factors.pdf



• If you know of, or are a member of any group or team that is dispersed and could try meeting by videoconference; or if you are a member of any group or team that does meet by videoconference…

• Please get in touch• Participating in this research will help make the findings more robust• Help Wales to lead in this ground-breaking research• Help others to transition from travel to videoconferencing• Save your organisation from costs and carbon footprint• Ensure full, pro-active support from the WVN for your conferences• http:// www.wvn.ac.uk/greenict• http:greenvideoconference.jiscinvolve.org• [email protected]

• Questions?


IT Procurement


Cheer Up!

Documents

How Green Was My Videoconference? Geoff Constable, Welsh Video Network Hats I am Currently Wearing… Geoff Constable: Hats I am Currently