Dell Continues To Go Green

By Author: David Tanguay
Total Articles: 78
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The Round Rock, Texas headquarters of Dell has recently converted to 100 percent renewable energy. The 2.1 million square foot building completed its conversion and made the announcement on April 3rd. Dell's global headquarters campus has utilized thetechnology of wind power at the building, and 60 percent of its energy is now derived from this. The wind power is generated Energy Future Holding Corp's TXU Energy. The other 40 percent of Dell's green power is made possible via Waste Management's landfill gas to energy plant.

Waste Management has an ongoing national effort to erect 60 new renewable energy facilities over the span of the next 5 years. The energy that Waste Management currently creates is enough to power 1 million homes. The hope is to double that number by 2020. Don Smith, the general manager of Waste Management Central Texas says, "Taking landfill gas and converting it to green power is a buried treasure for the community. We take a once-wasted commodity and turn it into a long-term, reliable source of renewable energy, which is a major environmental plus for the Austin community and one of its ...
... major employers, Dell."

For those who are interested in the mechanics, here is how the plan succeeds in acquiring the energy: A network of pipes and wells are drilled into the landscape. Then, a vacuum system pulls the gas (mostly methane) from the landfill. This is then sent to the power plant, fueling the engines that allow the generators to create the electricity. There are more than 100 of these vertical extraction wells and 2100 feet of horizontal wells.

Dell is a member of the Austin Energy Green Choice power program. This program has thrived in becoming the United State's most successful utility-sponsored green power program, providing electricity that comes from clean, renewal sources.

In addition to the green power that is being completely utilized at the Round Rock, Texas location, Dell has also increased, from 8 percent to 17 percent, its renewal energy at the Austin Parmer Campus. Its Twin Falls, Idaho call center is also at 100 percent green energy - 97 percent of this location drawn from wind and the other 3 percent coming from solar energy.

President Paul Bell has the following to say to other technology firms, "It's time for our industry to take a lead role in creating a clean energy future. Today, we are challenging every technology company to work with their suppliers and partners in integrating green power and energy-efficient strategies into their operations." For companies who are leery to convert to green energy, Bell asserts, "We're using green technology to drive operating expense down."

It would seem that Dell is coming closer and closer to its plan announced last fall to go carbon neutral in 2008. Other companies may realize by following in the footsteps of Dell that, not only would similar plans benefit communities and the overall health of the nation, it would have many financial advantages to the company itself.