Middle East Bank (MEBank) in Tehran, Iran, has embarked on an ambitious journey towards energy efficiency and sustainability within its IT infrastructure. Over the past two years, the bank has implemented a series of measures that underscore its commitment to Green IT initiatives.
Energy Efficiency
MEBank’s efforts began with a comprehensive audit of its data centers to identify opportunities for improving cooling efficiency, server utilization, and power management. This led to several significant upgrades: the bank implemented virtualization and consolidated physical servers, reducing the overall energy footprint; upgrades to more energy-efficient server, storage, and networking hardware were made; and cooling systems and airflow management in data centers were optimized to enhance efficiency.
To further improve energy efficiency, MEBank established policies for the timely retirement of older, less efficient IT equipment. The bank procured new hardware and devices with high energy efficiency ratings and certifications. Additionally, power management settings and policies were implemented to maximize energy savings.
Understanding the importance of employee involvement, MEBank launched awareness campaigns to encourage both IT staff and the broader employee base to adopt energy-efficient practices. Training was provided on server virtualization, power management, and sustainable IT disposal.
Saeed Abedi, Chief Information Officer at MEBank, emphasized: “Our efforts in employee education have been crucial in fostering a culture of sustainability within the bank. By empowering our staff with the right knowledge, we ensure that our Green IT initiatives are effectively implemented and maintained.”
Renewable Energy Integration
In its pursuit of sustainability, MEBank upgraded its data center and IT facilities to be renewable energy ready. This involved installing the necessary electrical infrastructure and cooling systems to integrate renewable power sources seamlessly. Also, new IT hardware and systems were ensured to be compatible with renewable energy inputs, optimizing energy usage accordingly.
Electronic Waste Management
MEBank has also addressed electronic waste (e-waste) through several measures. The bank developed policies and procedures for the safe and environmentally responsible disposal of end-of-life IT equipment, establishing secure data destruction protocols to protect sensitive information before equipment retirement.
A structured IT asset management program was implemented to monitor the equipment’s age and condition, enabling proactive replacement before its end of life. Furthermore, training and awareness campaigns were initiated to educate IT staff and the broader employee base on proper e-waste handling procedures.
Engaging Employees
MEBank undertook several initiatives to engage employees in green IT practices. Regular training programs, workshops, and information sessions were conducted to educate employees on the importance of green IT and sustainable practices. Employees were encouraged to share their concerns, pain points, and recommendations for making the bank’s IT operations more sustainable.
Collaboration between the IT department and other business units, such as facilities, procurement, and human resources, was fostered to align on green IT goals and initiatives.
Saeed Abedi highlighted the significance of these efforts, stating: “Fostering a collaborative environment where employees can contribute ideas and feedback has been instrumental in our green IT journey. It ensures that our sustainability efforts are comprehensive and inclusive.”
Conclusion
Through data center optimization, renewable energy integration, e-waste management, and employee engagement, the Middle East Bank has made substantial strides in improving energy efficiency and sustainability within its IT infrastructure. These efforts reflect the bank’s commitment to environmental responsibility and its ongoing dedication to optimizing IT infrastructure for performance and efficiency.
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