Google with Intel to make computers 'greener'

Mumbai, June 13: In a landmark development leading technology behemoths and environmental groups led by Google Inc and Intel Corporation today announced an ambitious initiative to help conserve electricity and curb global warming emissions by making the world's computers and servers more energy efficient.

The group christened, the 'Climate Savers Computing Initiative,' organised by Internet search leader Google and computer chip maker Intel, sets ambitious industry targets to increase the energy efficiency of computing gear over the next four years, an official statement disclosed.

The plan aims to cut the amount of electricity computers consume to half by 2010, by using existing power-saving technologies. It is pertinent to note here that currently, the average personal computer (PC) wastes about half of the power it consumes, while the average server wastes about one-third, officials said.

We aim to create a more efficient information technology (IT) industry by driving up the efficiency of computers. We think we can have huge savings in terms of carbon footprint and energy costs, the senior vice-president of Intel Mr Pat Gelsinger said.

The initiative is expected to save more than USD 5.5 billion in electricity costs by 2010 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change by 54 million tonnes annually, an amount equal to eliminating 11 million cars or 20 large coal-fired power plants each year, company officials explained.

They estimate that energy-efficiency technology initially would make computers about USD 20 more expensive and servers about USD 30 costlier. But consumers are expected to recoup the costs through lower electricity bills and rebates from utilities, they added.

UNI