Apart from power shortages, a key concern for the Internet economy is the quality of power. Companies are gearing up to meet this challenge. Oracle has created a private transmission system with a separate power substation to improve reliability and it is even considering to build its own power plant. Exodus Communications , is also looking at such a proposal and in the meantime have created an infrastructure of substations, backup diesel generators, and batteries to prevent power disruptions. In the corridors and trenches of the data hotels, consciousness is being raised.
Power is a real hot topic with customers.
What's interesting is how the conversation has changed at international IT conferences. Even before people talk about speeds and feeds, they're spending 30 percent of the conversation talking about the environmentals-power consumption per square foot, how they cool that, and how they cable and manage it. Unfortunately, the realization is yet to sink in at home. At least two-thirds of this bill will have to come from the private sector. It is unrealistic to depend on the SEBs to be the caterer to the party, as they are dogged by severe financial crisises themselves.