Because Google Brain Needs Smaller Batteries. Duh.
Google is asking the computer industry to create a simpler and more efficient power supply standard. According to an article in today's New York Times, two Google data center designers will present a paper at the Intel Developer Forum today that calls for an industry shift away from multivoltage power supplies to a single 12-volt standard. The article says Google has no plans to get into the computer manufacturing business. Google's interest in power efficiency comes from its significant investments in data centers. Google's call for new standards complements an existing initiative, 80 Plus, by the electric utility industry. The Google white paper argues that power saving would have a positive environmental impact. If the new power supplies were deployed in 100 million desktop PCs running eight hours a day, it will be possible to save 40 billion kilowatt-hours over three years, or more than $5 billion at California’s energy rates. Google is somewhat known for its pro-environment stance. The company recently created a for-profit philanthropic arm, google.org, which is planning to develop an ultra-fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid car engine that runs on ethanol, electricity and gasoline. |
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Comments (5)
I wonder why nobody tried that before... or probably they have but nobody listens to people, unless they have a 120Bn capital... o.O
Posted by naerey | September 26, 2006 12:52 PM
It would be difficult to calculate how much energy we all can save if the computer industry would let us. We could save 100 times as much, just by using LED's to light up the world.
Posted by William Pearce | September 26, 2006 6:30 PM
Thanks to the crew at Google for this initiative. However, there is no comparison to the environmental damage created with every new Microsoft Operating System. Each new OS has traditionally branded existing hardware obsolete. Landfills will soon bulge with discarded components soon after Vista is unleashed. The same as with 95, 98 and XP. Bill Gates and Microsoft should be held directly accountable for this environmental travesty.
Posted by PetereK | September 27, 2006 8:28 AM
Great to see something that would benefit the masses coming from a company that in recent years forgot about the little guy. I would love to see google change the world one power supply at a time. The reality is that most people's home computers do everything they need them to do right now without expensive upgrades. The focus of "future" computing should be on reducing power consumption from the processor core. We don't need faster anymore; Now, we need quieter, more efficent and more intuitive computers. Just make me more effective at work and play, stop worrying about how many "cycles" you put under the hood.
Posted by n8 | September 27, 2006 9:57 AM
When Google has been criticized, whether by click fraud watchdogs or copyright mavens, the company has remained relatively quiet. But in not responding to accusations in a timely manner, Google sometimes let public opinion get away from them. There weren't any swift boats involved, but Google was pulling a John Kerry.
Posted by Google Watch | September 27, 2006 6:00 PM