 "Global IT Majors Band Together; Launch Energy-Saving Initiative")
The Climate Savers Computing Initiative, a global program driven by major IT companies including CSC, Dell, Google, HP, Intel, Lenovo, and Microsoft, launched its India chapter recently. Started in the United States in 2007, CSCI is a non-profit group of eco-conscious consumers, businesses and conservation organisations promoting adoption of smart technologies in everyday business and personal computing, which can improve the efficiency of a computer’s power delivery and reduce the energy consumed when the computer is in an inactive state.
It is estimated that there are currently more than 1 billion desktop and notebook computers in use globally. It is projected this number will increase to 2.25 billion by 2015. In a typical desktop PC, more than half of the power is wasted as heat and it never reaches the processor, memory, disks, or other components. Even servers, which are typically more efficient than desktops, still waste 30 to 40 percent of the power utilised. Most of today’s desktop PCs are capable of automatically transitioning to a sleep or hibernate mode when inactive for a sustained duration; however, in about 90 percent of systems this functionality has been disabled. This results in higher energy consumption and an increase in electricity usage.
According to IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker for 4Q08, there will be 4.1 million more desktop PCs and 2.4 million more notebook PCs in use in India in 2009. By 2010, the country’s installed base of PCs will reach 47 million units. Today, IT users generally lack awareness about the power-saving features already built into present-day machines. All in all, this adds up to tremendous waste of energy every day.
The launch of India’s Climate Savers Computing chapter is led by Intel, Dell, HP, Google and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
“We are pleased to be part of this industry movement in India to help abate climate change. Computers have helped India transform into an efficient emerging economy, with increased productivity from online transactions, reduced travel and more,” said Rahul Bedi, director of Corporate Affairs, Intel South Asia, one of the prime movers behind the initiative’s expansion. “With the right user behavior and latest energy-efficient technologies now easily available to us, we can continue to drive power reduction with the usage of energy-efficient computers.”
India is the sixth largest producer and consumer of energy in the world. It is projected that with growing computer penetration, especially in the smaller markets, energy usage will increase. The India chapter of Climate Savers Computing and its constituents will encourage the development of more energy-efficient computing devices by manufacturers and at the same time educate organisations and individuals in smart practices of power management.
“Apart from power-saving modes and features available on current PCs, not many users realise that about 50 percent of the machine’s power consumption is heat loss not contributing to the operation of the machines,” said Lorie Wigle, president of the Climate Savers Computing Initiative. “So, as we expand our efforts with a new team based in India, we are pleased to have leading hardware manufacturers on board, who can help drive a holistic combination of energy efficient, ENERGY STAR compliant product deployment alongside driving changes in user behaviour.”