I have been a customer of 1&1, a web hosting company, since 2004. At first, I only use it for domain registration (for indrayudha.net). Later in 2006, I had completely migrated my web hosting from Indiana University server to 1&1’s. So far, the service has been good and the price, affordable. I think 1&1 is among the most cost-efficient domain registration and hosting services. What had been a curiosity of an ads in a PC magazine has turned into a long-term relationship. All of self-hosting web sites I managed now use 1&1. I think 1&1 should give me big discounts.

Since my homepage renewal to version 3.0, I have found several interesting development with my favorite web hosting company. They now run “green” hosting environment, and as such made my web site “green” as well. So what do they do with this “green hosting” thing?

So, 1&1 has attempted to carbon-neutralized its energy use by purchasing carbon-offset certificates. This huge energy use from its data center in Lenexa, Kansas are being carbon-offset through a partnership with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). 1&1 are purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from BEF. According to BEF website, 1 REC represents 1-megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity generated from renewable energy and delivered to national power grid. Thus, 1&1 is “offsetting” its energy use (from which resulted in carbon emission) through purchasing renewable energy (in effect, neutralizing its carbon emission).

1&1 claims that its renewable energy purchase for its data center is enough to power at least 300 U.S. homes for one year.

1&1 and BEF took a step further by working in tandem with Green-e. Green-e is a voluntary certification program for renewable energy. It certifies environmental commodities and products that mitigate climate change and build a sustainable energy future. As such, 1&1’s green hosting environment has been reviewed by an independent party for its validity and soundness.

As an added value to version 3.0, I have put the green hosting badge on the side bar.