Microsoft paper proposes using 'cloud' servers to heat homes

[The Straight Story]

Microsoft paper proposes using 'cloud' servers to heat homes

Microsoft has published a research paper that proposes installing servers used for cloud computing into homes and businesses, instead of in vast data centers. The idea being, that because such servers generate so much heat, why not use them to heat homes, instead of wasting even more energy by cooling the air in centralized locations.
The paper, “The Data Furnace: Heating Up with Cloud Computing “ published by Microsoft Research, in conjunction with Virginia University researchers, looks at the feasibility of selling “Data Furnaces” (DFs) to consumers, who would then benefit by having their winter heating bills reduced down to almost zero. The authors argue that the cost savings of doing so, for cloud computing companies, would be significant (they estimate from $280 to $324 a year per server.)

The authors envision having DFs in the basements of homes all over the country, clustered around cites, of course, where the most demand for those servers exists. A customer would purchase a unit and have it installed in the basement, where it would heat the home, and could be used for other purposes as well, such as heating hot water or drying clothes. In such a small scale system, the author’s believe that an existing broadband connection could be used, thus no additional data transfer hardware or software would need to be installed. As part of their purchase, users would agree to replace filters and reset or turn serves on or off if and when needed. For users that live in northern parts of the country, such as around New York City or Chicago, cost savings could be dramatic. In the summer, the DF could either be turned off, or the heat vented outside.

Larger systems with more CPUs could be installed in business buildings large and small, allowing for more computing power for the cloud company, and free or reduced heating bills for the hosts.

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-07-microsoft-paper-cloud-servers-homes.html

[snooper2]

1. Yeah Microsoft, a real REAL good fucking idea

:rofl:

Okay, lets forget all the security issues for a moment. How many basements are NEBS compliant (googles are your friend)

[hugo_from_TN]

21. data center (cloud) servers do not need to be NEBs compliant.

[snooper2]

24. mkay...remember to check that box "no" on the next RFI you respond to

[hugo_from_TN]

26. will do

IPDC ≠ telco

Do some research.

[snooper2]

27. we have a different idea of "cloud" apparently

carrier grade applications

[hugo_from_TN]

29. Yes, emerging cloud infrastructure like MSFT Azure

along with offerings from Google, Amazon, Yahoo, and lots from China

[tridim]

2. I worked in a NOC once and was appalled by the massive AC system.

Extremely hot air, cooled by expensive compressed hot air makes no sense. No effort at efficiency whatsoever.

[Avalux]

3. So microsoft has figured out a way to get people to pay them to house their servers.

Brilliant! :eyes:

And I supposed a homeowner would have to pay for maintenance on the thing as well. Super brilliant! :crazy:

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Wow. In the 1960s, '70s, and '80s, we used to laugh about mainframes (IBM 360/370, etc) putting

out so much heat that we could use it to heat buildings. Then technology got smart enough to reduce that heat way down and in the late 1990's the mainframes became energy-saving products. Now, the 'cloud' is repeating everything!

[AndyTiedye]

5. What About in the Summer?

[petronius]

6. That's when the homeowner gets pissed off and runs downstairs to pull the plug

:)

[LeftyMom]

7. The servers migrate to the southern hemisphere. It's really stunning to watch. nt

[VWolf]

9. Ok THAT was funny

:rofl:

[Recursion]

18. Bwah

:spray:

[petronius]

28. Damn you! please do not post actually funny jokes within

minutes of and adjacent to my own feeble attempts... :grr:

[Renew Deal]

12. Take the lid off and use it as an air conditioner

:silly:

[WinkyDink]

8. What could possibly go wrong?!

:argh:

[Shandris]

10. OhGodINeedHeat.exe has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.

Would you like to delete your heating (Y/N)? N
Would you like to cancel your heating? (Y/N)? N
Would you like to tell Bill Gates to fuck off? (Y/N)? Y
Deleting Heating...
...
Heating deletion successful!

:silly:

[DesMoinesDem]

11. For some reason some of you think saving money and energy is a bad idea.

Oh, yea. Microsoft is involved so it has to be bad. If it was Apple people would be commenting about the most magical idea ever. If someone wants to volunteer to put a server in their home and do everything required of them, and in return save energy (which used to be considered good for the planet) and money, then I say go for it.

[rbixby]

17. So true!

Even though Apple is only very slightly less evil.

[dorkulon]

23. Indeed.

If this was Steve Jobs' idea folks here would love it. I think it's a good plan if they can make it work.

[chalky]

30. Frankly, I'm cackling over the absurd image of the data for a million customers hidden away

in Grandma Myrtle's basement in Sheboygan, WI. Trust me, I'd still be laughing if Apple came out with this idea.

But I can see the possibilities.

[jwirr]

13. Not a bad suggestion - wonder if they would like test homes?

[Dawson Leery]

14. Microsoft is conceding that their Cloud Computers waste energy.

[dorkulon]

22. All computers put off a lot of heat. So does yours.

That's what the fans and heatsinks are for.

[sudopod]

15. Silly headline writers

"Microsoft paper proposes using 'cloud' servers to heat homes"

I guess it needed more buzzwords, lol.

[originalpckelly]

16. Not a bad idea for most of the year, but the problem is what to do in summer.

Like the other posters have said, that's when it just doesn't work out.

[originalpckelly]

19. Of course, we could just come with our own system of cloud computing...

and tell Microsoft to fuck off.

But that would be a free idea, and this is America. :P

[hugo_from_TN]

20. Waste heat can be used for cooling.

[Evasporque]

25. iPhone has a power generation app...

It provides electricity to your home.