Plant-Powered Cloud Servers

Computer servers around the world are imperative for keeping our networks running but are often associated by their power-hungry operation, so the 'Warm Earth' cloud server has been designed as an eco-friendly alternative.

The system works by housing a series of tomato plants inside the server racks and utilizes a series of fans to channel hot air upwards into the interior section of the cabinet. This greenhouse-style design powers the plant-microbial fuel cell technology developed by a team of researchers at the Wageningen University, Netherlands to keep the server running without any conventional electricity.

The 'Warm Earth' cloud server is the design work of Ilja Schamle and identifies what could be done to help curb emissions related to networking.