Forum Moderators: goodroi
Web search leader Google and semiconductor maker Intel launched a broad-based programme on Tuesday to introduce more energy-efficient personal computers and server systems to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Called the "Climate Savers Computing Initiative," the new programme has signed on computer makers Dell, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Lenovo Group, software maker Microsoft, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and more than 25 environmental groups, companies and universities for the energy savings campaign.
Google and Intel Partner on Energy Efficiency [uk.reuters.com]
But somehow it seems to me that computer is by FAR not the most energy-wasting device I am using. I'd say my car is #1, my heater/AC is #2, and water heater is #3. Not to mention toaster, iron, microwave, washer, dryer and loan mower. PC is probably #75 on the list.
This is good, at least they are thinking about it and they have big $. At least they installed solar panels to power their own office, maybe this will contribute some. I'd like these guys not to steer a storm in a glass of water and make marketing-ploy-type public announcements, but rather step up and maybe contribute to development of energy efficient car, or at least set a goal that is of their own scale.
Greenpeace electronic company green rankings
[greenpeace.org...]
Apple is starting to make progress with their GreenmyApple campaign.
Computing seems to far outpace itself in efficiency, a low power 65watt cpu does exponentially more than a 3-4 year old cpu in a performance per watt rating.
Shouldn't the efficiencies be pushed more on alternative energies rather than trying to squeeze more out of what we have?
I know there is always room for improvements on both sides. I've switched to LED lights, we moved to laptops and only have 1 pc that is running cool & quiet for the most part (media center). Until we get away from coal or find ourselves saying we have reached theoretical computing limits is it really worth investing on the receiving end when most efficiences could be achieved on the energy creation & supply ends?
keep on developing efficient solar/wind/wave energies and alternative supplies.
I'd like these guys not to steer a storm in a glass of water and make marketing-ploy-type public announcements, but rather step up and maybe contribute to development of energy efficient car, or at least set a goal that is of their own scale.
Any company that understands the power of the network can stick to its core competency and make a huge dent by helping make transportation less necessary more often.
I do like the idea of building automated mini tramnets for urban areas though, to ride above the traffic until heavy vehicles become obsolete.
Electricity is their biggest fixed cost. If you look at how they've positioned their data centers, its all about saving money.
Larry and Sergey flitting about on a 767 is probably a good indication of their attitude towards carbon issues.
[edited by: TypicalSurfer at 1:19 am (utc) on June 14, 2007]
But somehow it seems to me that computer is by FAR not the most energy-wasting device I am using. I'd say my car is #1, my heater/AC is #2, and water heater is #3. Not to mention toaster, iron, microwave, washer, dryer and loan mower. PC is probably #75 on the list.
Check out this power consumption table:
[absak.com...]
Unless you are ironing for 3 hours a day, I doubt your iron uses more energy than your computer.
Not to mention the power usage of servers in data centers. Those babies use a lot of juice!
"We thought that would be plenty," he says, but Trinity had to install two more units in January. "We're running out of duplicative power," he says, noting that newer equipment is dual-corded and that power density in some areas of the data center has surpassed 250 watts per square foot.
It is true that heating/cooling/automobiles/etc need to be more energy efficient, but that doesn't mean that it's pointless to try to improve the energy efficiency of computers.
It is true that heating/cooling/automobiles/etc need to be more energy efficient, but that doesn't mean that it's pointless to try to improve the energy efficiency of computers.
Google.org announced six grants Monday of $100,000 to $200,000 each and totaling $1.05 million, to: advocate plug-ins, research vehicle-to-grid technology, promote federal policy that encourages plug-ins, educate people about plug-ins, promote research, design and development of plug-ins.This summer, Google.org will publish on its website a request for proposals for another $10 million. The organization says it will "invest approximately $10 million in technologies and companies featuring plug-in hybrids, fully electric vehicles, vehicle-to-grid capabilities, batteries and other storage technologies, and the application of renewable energy and fuels to green vehicles."
[usatoday.com...]
