Concerns over datacenter power shortages as well as global climate change seeded the green-tech movement some time ago, but it really started to bear fruit in 2007. I've made a sincere effort to highlight green-tech projects of note over the past 12 months, but let's face it: I'm but one man (by my most recent count), and there's little doubt in my mind that many more organizations out there have wrapped up some I’ve made a sincere effort to highlight green-tech projects of note over the past 12 months, but let’s face it: I’m but one man (by my most recent count), and there’s little doubt in my mind that many more organizations out there have wrapped up some excellent, innovative IT projects geared toward realizing their sustainability goals. In an effort to recognize companies for their innovative green-tech efforts — and to demonstrate to the rest of the IT industry how it, too, might go about tackling energy shortages, reducing waste, and being kinder to Mother Nature — InfoWorld is pleased to announce that we’re accepting nominations for our newest award: the Green 15.Here’s how it’s going to work: Through the end of February, we’ll be accepting nominations for, generically speaking, green-tech projects that were completed, or mostly completed, in 2007. Just what, you might wonder, constitutes a green-tech project? Excellent question. A Green 15 finalist might be a floor-to-roof datacenter renovation that improves airflow, consolidates hardware through virtualization, and ultimately cuts energy waste. It might be an installation of an on-site clean alternative energy source. Perhaps you’ve found a creative way to cut paper waste; or to significantly reduce travel via planes, trains, and automobiles; or to reduce the number of watts that PCs, monitors, lights, or any other energy-draining equipment unnecessarily burn day and night when they’re not being used. The bottom line is, the winners of the InfoWorld Green 15 will be projects that leverage technology to measurably cut waste, reduce organizations’ negative impact on the environment, and/or promote sustainable business-technology practices. Nominations for SMB projects are certainly welcome and encouraged. The Green 15 will be announced on April 22, 2008, which, by a remarkable coincidence, happens to be Earth Day.As I said, we’re accepting nominations through Feb. 28; you may submit them, free of charge, through this convenient online submission form. If you have additional questions, please, please, please read the Green 15 FAQ page before sending along inquiries to me. Sending unnecessary e-mails isn’t very green, you know. Wasted storage space and all that. Related links: IT confronts the datacenter power crisis InfoWorld Green 15 FAQ page InfoWorld Green 15 nomination formTed Samson is a senior analyst at InfoWorld and author of the Sustainable IT blog. Subscribe to his free weekly Green Tech newsletter. Technology Industry