Global IT majors unite to save energy

MUMBAI, INDIA: The Climate Savers Computing Initiative (CSCI), a global program driven by major IT companies including CSC, Dell, Google, HP, Intel, Lenovo and Microsoft, has launched its India chapter. Started in the US in 2007, CSCI is a non-profit group of eco-conscious consumers, businesses and conservation organizations 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 one 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 utilized. 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 Q4 2008, 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—Corporate Affairs, South Asia, Intel. “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.”

Climate Savers Computing participating organizations have benefited through substantial savings in reduced energy costs. In India, the social cost of similar savings would in itself be manifold as energy saved could be put to more productive use in manufacturing or agriculture.