A cloud computing service is to be started in Inverness, Scotland by the end of 2010 involving IT firms Alchemy Plus and Microsoft.

The project will allow “people and firms to log into them from anywhere in the world” as Microsoft would be offering applications and services directly through the internet. The service would include accessing of permanently stored information from servers from any part of the world, without having to store in any particular computer. But this is not the highlight of the project.

The “The hardware required and the high levels of electrical power needed to run the system generate large amounts of heat“, but these tech giants have kept in mind taking advantage of the cold weather that prevails in Inverness thus cutting down the costs of artificial cooling in a large way. Even the energy released by the 20,000sq ft area would be utilized in heating nearby buildings. Saving energy and going green seems to be the main focus of this project.

Steve Chisolm, chief executive officer with the firm, said: “Much thought has gone into developing an environmentally-friendly solution that reduces energy consumption and waste while satisfying a rapidly growing demand for cheaper and more flexible IT services that enhance business value.”

A very innovative way of utilizing nature as a resource and saving the environment. So considering all these facts it sure is a good one to wait for.

[source: bbc.co.uk]