HP launches Singapore research hub, eyes sustainable data centers

HP on Wednesday will launch its Singapore research hub, which will focus on data center architecture, cloud computing services and sustainable processes and practices.

Prith Banerjee, director of HP Labs, said that the Singapore hub is designed to push the envelope on data center design, the use of alternative fuels and "leverage up research on sustainable data centers."

The Singapore lab will focus on using multiple energy sources ranging from solar to biofuel to the electric grid. Research will also revolve around cooking and adjusting to computing demand. The aim: Lower total cost of ownership by 75 percent in data centers and halve the carbon footprint, said Banerjee, who added that a "environmentally aware model" to computing could be exported to other hubs.

Banerjee added that the Singapore lab is part of HP's "everything as a service" plan. The lab will support cloud research at other HP Labs sites in Palo Alto, Calif. and Bristol, England. The three labs will produce research that's funneled into Cirious, HP's plan to create an enterprise cloud software platform.

The Singapore lab is HP's third facility in Asia Pacific and seventh overall.

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