Would you actually use this?
https://industrialmana.com/
I've always wanted something like an AWS for carbon removal, but I have no idea if other people do. So I built https://industrialmana.com/ to see who does.
I've always wanted something like an AWS for carbon removal, but I have no idea if other people do. So I built https://industrialmana.com/ to see who does.
I use Google Cloud which is 100% carbon neutral, so I don't have a need for such a service. Azure is too, and AWS is 50% but eventually getting to 100%. I think that will be the big reason why people wouldn't use it.
I think it could still be useful for anyone using on-prem servers, but they also have some onsite renewables, or their energy utility may allow renewable options?
I think you're on the right track of asking where this might fill some niches. I like this idea. I want it to succeed :-)
My understanding is that most people don't even think about if their servers are green. However, we're taking "green" one step further, by leaning towards the negative-emissions aspect, which means your app could actually remove carbon dioxide. Because this scales with the number of users your app has, the better your app does, the more CO2 you remove. What's missing that would make you want to use this?
The typical problem will be cost, both for me and I would assume for others. My app is brand new and currently losing me money. So I'm not going to spend more money to get carbon negative. In the unlikely event I make grips of money from it, I'd consider it.
Most IHers are here because they are capitalists. Capitalists with hearts, but still capitalists. It's going to be a tough value proposition to hurt people's bottom lines, unless they are in an industry/field where they can advertise the green effect of your service.
Me personally, I'm a big fan of a carbon tax or cap-and-trade. If the cost of doing the right things is spread over everyone generating carbon, it feels much more fair. Relatedly, if you could use your service to sell carbon credits (e.g. in a cap-and-trade system) that could be a nice path forward.
You're right that the value proposition needs work.
Cost is certainly an important issue brought up in most conversations I've had, and some have said it costs 2x more to be carbon-neutral. You're also correct that most people won't spend more money just for "green bragging rights." Unfortunately, carbon credits/taxation will be incredibly difficult to do without relying on the government.
I think part of the problem is that going carbon neutral/negative doesn't actually deliver any tangible value for people. It's not like Google Cloud, where you get access to a powerful computer. When reducing carbon emissions, you don't actually get anything. Is this how most people feel?
Yeah, I think the intangibility of the product you're selling is just part of the value proposition. More generally though is a business' cost:benefit ratio. Human history seems to be riddled with examples of altruists failing to effect change because they were in the vast minority. If there isn't something binding people to doing good (culture, government, religion, biology, etc) then they just won't.
Relatedly, I think government is the only way to solve climate change. So personally, I might make "green" choices like driving an ev/hybrid, using LED bulbs, installing solar, insulating my house, etc - because all of those also come with practical benefits like cost savings. But lacking the practical benefits, and lacking something more binding, being green feels more like a donation to charity.
Huh, that's actually quite an interesting idea (with some serious exit options if you built it up enough). Do you already have server farms in place or are you just curious if a market is there?
The technology that we plan on putting in the server farms been proven, but we need to make sure people want this before scaling it up. What's missing that would make you want to use this?
Tbh the thing missing would be a price point relatively close to the existing services. I don't see many scenarios where a carbon negative farm would be the primary choice for companies unless prices are lower
I see. We updated the copy of our landing page to better reflect what the service actually does (https://industrialmana.com/)
It's not clear what it is. I can assume what it is, but the page doesn't explicitly saying.
What I get is:
I copy/paste "something" in my code and all of the sudden I put machines to work. Sounds to me a bit sketchy.
You're right that the copy is really unclear. So we tried fixing that in the next iteration of the landing page. I hope this clears up some stuff. (https://industrialmana.com/)