http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/bmws-cold-call-it-shifts-computing-to-iceland/2208
BMW’s cold call: It shifts computing to Iceland
The country generates all of its electricity from renewable sources - about 75 percent from hydro, and 25 percent from geothermal - and is trying to lure industries like data centers to tap into that.
Icelandic data centers like Verne’s also virtually eliminate the cost and energy normally required to keep a data center cool. Such refrigeration can account for over half of a data center’s energy consumption.
The Verne center banishes fancy air conditioning systems by taking advantage of temperatures that on average don’t dip below 32 degrees F or above 56 degrees F throughout the year.
According to a Verne press release, BMW will reduce the cost of power for the applications by up to 82 percent. It will also cut CO2 emissions by an estimated 3,935 tons (U.S) metric tons, or the equivalent of burning 380,000 U.S. gallons (1.46 million liters) of gasoline.
