As a result of growing demand for technology, energy costs associated with data centres are rising rapidly. Many centres are running close to the limit of their air conditioning systems and the power they can draw from the grid. With their increasing need for power, data centres are becoming large contributors to the carbon footprint of many companies.

HP Dynamic Smart Cooling technology actively manages a data centre's air-conditioned environment to deliver the right amount of cooling where it is needed most. The energy provisioning system uses advanced control software fed by continuous, real-time air-temperature measurements from a network of sensors throughout a data centre. The system then continuously monitors and adjusts the air handlers to modulate cooling energy based on demand from the servers and storage devices.

The benefits to Barclays are clear: savings on energy consumption as the air conditioners are used more efficiently; faster response to changes in temperature; and, generally less strain on the chillers that cool the air around the data centre.

"Last November, as part of the CBI Climate Change Task Force, Barclays made a clear commitment to focus on further reducing the carbon impact of our buildings, technology and travel", stated Marcus Agius, chairman, Barclays Group. "This announcement is an important step towards delivering just that. Efficient energy management is at the heart of our technology infrastructure, and we are investing to use the best technology available. We are proud to be one of the first companies in Europe to implement HP's Dynamic Smart Cooling technology."

Francesco Serafini, managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at HP, stated: "HP has a close working relationship with Barclays, and our companies share a commitment to utilizing technology to drive better business and environmental outcomes. The letter of intent provides for HP to deliver a complete solution that will allow Barclays to transform its data centre, enabling scalable technology capability with energy cost savings that should significantly reduce its carbon footprint."

Implementing HP Dynamic Smart Cooling technology is the latest of several worldwide energy-efficiency initiatives between the two companies. Prior work includes power-optimized servers, HP BladeSystem and HP Thermal Logic technology adoption, and virtualization-based consolidation. These initiatives have already achieved a range from 18 percent energy savings per server to 40 percent energy savings per data centre for Barclays' technology services around the globe.

Barclays set new environmental improvement targets in 2005 which support its approach to managing its climate change impacts.

Climate change targets for 2006-2010 include:

• Reduce CO2 emissions by 20 percent by 2010 (using 2000 as the baseline year)
• Reduce carbon intensity from 16.8 tonnes to 12.9 tonnes CO2 per £m of UK income (using 2005 baseline.) Carbon intensity is a measure of emissions relative to business growth and it allows comparisons to be made between companies.
• Reduce energy consumption in offices and branches by 20 percent per employee (FTE) (using 2005 as the baseline)

At the centre of Barclays' approach to managing its impact on climate change is a six-point programme that sets out priorities for carbon management across the company's global operations:

• Reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by improving energy efficiency
• Buy more renewable energy
• Make operations carbon neutral by offsetting remaining carbon emissions
• Work with suppliers to help reduce their carbon emissions
• Develop products and services that help customers reduce their impact on climate change
• Engage with key stakeholders and contribute to the debate on climate change action