Dell Computers' Home Campus Now Runs on Green Energy

Dell announced April 2 that its entire 2.1 million square-foot global headquarters campus, home to more than 10,000 employees, is now powered with green energy.

"It's time for our industry to take a lead role in creating a clean energy future," said Paul Bell, president, Dell Americas. "Today, we are challenging every technology company to work with their suppliers and partners in integrating green power and energy-efficient strategies into their operations."

Powered by renewables now, Dell's headquarters building no longer uses fossil fuels. (Photo courtesy Dell)

This commitment is part of the company's climate strategy which also seeks to minimize carbon impact of supplier operations and customer product use.

To run its operations, Dell is using all of the power generated from Waste Management's Austin Community Landfill gas-to-energy plant, meeting 40 percent of Dell headquarters' campus power needs.

The remaining 60 percent comes from existing wind farms and is provided by TXU Energy.

"Powering an entire campus with green power, in partnership with these two leading companies, is an important step in becoming the greenest technology company on the planet and the right thing to do for our shared earth," said Bell. "At the same time we're using green technology to drive operating expense down."

Dell also announced today it is increasing green power use for its Austin Parmer Campus, provided by Austin Energy, from eight to 17 percent. The company participates in Austin Energy's GreenChoice® power program.

In addition, Dell is powering its Twin Falls, Idaho, facility with 100 percent green power, 97 percent of which is wind power and three percent solar.

The company expects to save nearly $2 million annually in operating costs and cut CO2 equivalent emissions by nearly 12,000 tons per year with energy efficiency changes already in place on the Texas campuses.

Dell says the purchase of green power gives the company "price certainty on its operational costs for power," and the company expects it may see cost benefits to using green power in the future.

David Steiner, chief executive officer of Waste Management, Inc. said the Dell project is a key part of his company's environmental initiative to increase the production of waste based energy. "Today, we create enough energy for the equivalent of one million homes each year and by 2020 we expect to double that output, producing enough energy for the equivalent of more than two million homes," he said.

"This is yet another example of TXU Energy's commitment to offering renewable power choices that are good for business and the environment," said Jim Burke, TXU's chief executive.

"TXU Energy is dedicated to improving our use of renewable power and encouraging greater energy efficiency, both of which help preserve our environment," he said.

"For Dell to partner with Waste Management and TXU to source renewable energy on this scale is great news," said Steve Howard, CEO of The Climate Group, an independent nonprofit that works with government and business leaders to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

"Greening the company's Texas operations not only underpins Dell's bold carbon neutral commitment but helps drive clean energy investment and tackles climate change."

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