This is an overview of a session that will be presented at the Uptime Institute Symposium 2012. Click here to register.

Greenpeace, the environmental advocacy organization that in recent months has praised Google for its environmental stewardship and refuted Apple’s renewable energy claims, has a message for data center operators: You’re in a position to become a driving force toward greener energy. As high-profile operations with huge buying power, data centers can be invaluable assets in pushing utility providers to offer cleaner sources of electricity.

Greenpeace believes that the IT industry has an important role in enabling energy savings and encouraging the use of renewable energy. At the Uptime Institute Symposium 2012, Gary Cook, Climate and Energy Policy Analyst with Greenpeace, will share how data center owners and operators can succeed in driving green energy adoption where government and environmental groups have struggled. He will offer a comparative look at the options for taking advantage of renewable energy in the data center, and discuss how data center operators can influence renewable energy investments. Cook will also provide the first preview of the upcoming Greenpeace Clean Energy Buyer’s Guide for Data Center Operators, which examines the available options as well as strategies for green energy investment and policy advocacy in key data center markets.