GreenQloud
Encyclopedia
The first consumer web hosting services company operating out of Iceland
, offering cloud computing
services powered by emission-free energy sources.
Founded in 2010, the company exclusively sells web services hosted at data centers in Iceland. Most hosting companies buy carbon offset credits as a green marketing measure, and host data at multiple data centers on different continents as the solution for international sites. Greenqloud and other Icelandic web hosting companies differ from competitors in North America and Europe in that its data centers are powered exclusively by hydropower
and geothermal energy; this is possible because of Iceland's energy infrastructure. Iceland's geographical location offers two additional ecological advantages: (1) year-round cold climate in the Arctic Circle offers natural cooling, (2) its mid-Atlantic location eliminates the need for data mirrors on both continents, eliminating the use of multiple data centers and the associated energy consumption.
by a Washington D.C. based startup
,
followed by at least 2 other data centers in and around Reykjavik. The development of wholesale data centers in Iceland made development of the consumer service vendors possible.
The late development of Iceland's relatively small data hosting industry also makes it possible for the country to be innovative and discerning in its information technology policies. In 2010, the Icelandic Modern Media Initiative
was passed. Iceland has gained a reputation of not only being an ecological data hosting hub, but also a harbour from government and cultural censorship in developed as well as developing nations.
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, offering cloud computing
Cloud computing
Cloud computing is the delivery of computing as a service rather than a product, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices as a utility over a network ....
services powered by emission-free energy sources.
Founded in 2010, the company exclusively sells web services hosted at data centers in Iceland. Most hosting companies buy carbon offset credits as a green marketing measure, and host data at multiple data centers on different continents as the solution for international sites. Greenqloud and other Icelandic web hosting companies differ from competitors in North America and Europe in that its data centers are powered exclusively by hydropower
Hydropower
Hydropower, hydraulic power, hydrokinetic power or water power is power that is derived from the force or energy of falling water, which may be harnessed for useful purposes. Since ancient times, hydropower has been used for irrigation and the operation of various mechanical devices, such as...
and geothermal energy; this is possible because of Iceland's energy infrastructure. Iceland's geographical location offers two additional ecological advantages: (1) year-round cold climate in the Arctic Circle offers natural cooling, (2) its mid-Atlantic location eliminates the need for data mirrors on both continents, eliminating the use of multiple data centers and the associated energy consumption.
Background
Iceland began developing its data hosting industry in the late 2000's, addressing the rapid growth of carbon emissions from data centers worldwide. The same year, the first zero-emission wholesale data center was installed in the former NATO base in KeflavikNaval Air Station Keflavik
United States Naval Air Station Keflavik is a former NATO facility at Keflavík International Airport, Iceland. It is located on the Reykjanes peninsula on the south-west portion of the island...
by a Washington D.C. based startup
Verne Global
Verne Global is a wholesale data center supplier of data center space based in Keflavík, Iceland, and Washington, D.C. Formed as a joint venture between Novator Partners and General Catalyst Partners, Verne Global was created to develop data centers that employ renewable energy sources.- Location...
,
followed by at least 2 other data centers in and around Reykjavik. The development of wholesale data centers in Iceland made development of the consumer service vendors possible.
The late development of Iceland's relatively small data hosting industry also makes it possible for the country to be innovative and discerning in its information technology policies. In 2010, the Icelandic Modern Media Initiative
Icelandic Modern Media Initiative
The International Modern Media Institute is an international institution developing havens for freedom of information, speech, and expression. It creates supportive and attractive jurisdiction for the publication of investigative journalism and other threatened online media...
was passed. Iceland has gained a reputation of not only being an ecological data hosting hub, but also a harbour from government and cultural censorship in developed as well as developing nations.
See Also
- Icelandic Modern Media InitiativeIcelandic Modern Media InitiativeThe International Modern Media Institute is an international institution developing havens for freedom of information, speech, and expression. It creates supportive and attractive jurisdiction for the publication of investigative journalism and other threatened online media...
- Ecodissident Hosting
- Telecommunications in Iceland
- ÁsbrúÁsbrúÁsbrú is a part of the former U.S. Naval Air Station Keflavik not supervised by the Icelandic defence authorities. After U.S. forces evacuated in 2006, a part of the base not needed for current military defence needs, was re-invented as a community of entrepreneurs, students and business...
(formerly Naval Air Station KeflavikNaval Air Station KeflavikUnited States Naval Air Station Keflavik is a former NATO facility at Keflavík International Airport, Iceland. It is located on the Reykjanes peninsula on the south-west portion of the island...
)