Location is becoming increasingly important to the Green Data Center marketplace. I've previously noted the popularity of the Columbia River Valley for mega data centers due to its inexpensive and low-carbon hydroelectricity, its climate for cooling, and its fiber optic infrastructure. An Icelandic data center is now putting location front and center in its promotion.

US company Verne Global cites what it calls the "Icelandic Advantage" of its data center:

"100% Green Energy: All of Iceland's electricity comes from affordable, sustainable geothermal and hydroelectric energy... These resources are 100% renewable, with no green energy price premium...you're guaranteed a supply of continuous, high-quality electricity at a fixed rate...for up to 20 years..."
"Free Cooling The mean annual temperature in Iceland is -0.5°C (30°F) in January and 13°C (55°F) in July...As a result, we can handle power densities of up to 15 to 20 kW per rack using cooling from Iceland's ambient temperature alone."
"Less natural disaster risk than the U.S., U.K. or India"

The company also notes that its data center is in a repurposed military facility, a growing trend.

The Verne Global site offers a strong online presentation of a green data center and offers lots of supporting data, down to the geology of its location, and white papers.

Microsoft is considering Iceland as a data center location, as are other large industry players.

(See how a unique Swedish data center is promoting its natural cooling advantage.)