GREEN COMPUTING

Definition - What does Green Computing mean?

reen computing is the environmentally responsible and ecofriendly use of computers and their resources. In broader
terms, it is also defined as the study of designing,
manufacturing/engineering, using and disposing of
computing devices in a way that reduces their environmental impact.
Many IT manufacturers and vendors are continuously investing in
designing energy efficient computing devices, reducing the use of
dangerous materials and encouraging the recyclability of digital
devices and paper. Green computing practices came into being in 1992,
when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the Energy
Star program.
Green computing is also known as green information technology (green IT).

(Or)

GREEN COMPUTING:
Green computing is the use of computers and related
resources in an environmentally responsible manner. This
involves the implementation of energy-efficient central
processing units (CPUs), servers and peripherals as well as
proper disposal of electronic waste (e-waste)... (Continued)

Techopedia explains Green Computing :

Green computing aims to attain economic viability and improve the way computing
devices are used. Green IT practices include the development of environmentally
sustainable production practices, energy efficient computers and improved disposal and
recycling procedures.
To promote green computing concepts at all possible levels, the following four
complementary approaches are employed:

Green use: Minimizing the electricity consumption of computers and their

peripheral devices and using them in an eco-friendly manner

Green disposal: Re-purposing an existing computer or appropriately disposing of,

or recycling, unwanted electronic equipment

Green design: Designing energy-efficient computers, servers, printers, projectors

and other digital devices

Green manufacturing: Minimizing waste during the manufacturing of computers

and other subsystems to reduce the environmental impact of these activities

Government regulatory authorities also actively work to promote green computing

concepts by introducing several voluntary programs and regulations for their
enforcement.
Average computer users can employ the following general tactics to make their
computing usage more green:

Use the hibernate or sleep mode when away from a computer for extended periods

Use flat-screen or LCD monitors, instead of conventional cathode ray tube (CRT)
monitors

Buy energy efficient notebook computers, instead of desktop computers

Activate the power management features for controlling energy consumption

Make proper arrangements for safe electronic waste disposal

Turn off computers at the end of each day

Refill printer cartridges, rather than buying new ones

Instead of purchasing a new computer, try refurbishing an existing device

Concept of Green Technology: How It All Began

The importance of green technology was made evident when computing attained critical
mass in the early 1990s. The late 1990s and early 2000s witnessed many regulatory
milestones, and the recent years witness companies innovating to incorporate green
technology.

Green technology is the application of environmental science to offer economically viable

solutions that conserve the natural environment and resources, and curb the negative
impacts of human involvement.
The proliferation of data centers required the constant addition of server, cooling and
ventilation equipment that led to an ever-increasing demand of energy and increased
presence of toxic and hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and
others. This made people look at ways to apply green technology in computing to mitigate
the serious environmental and health concerns.

APPLICATIONS OF GREEN TECHONOLOGY

Some examples of the application of green technology in computing include:
o

reducing the use of environmentally hazardous materials like CFC, lead and others

promoting the use of recyclable materials and minimizing use of non-biodegradable

components

promoting practices such as energy cost accounting, virtualization, eWaste

recycling and the like

application of technology with change in lifestyle habits aimed at energy

conservation

Energy Star Ratings

The first major landmark in the history of green computing was the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA)s Energy Star program, launched in 1992. Energy Star is a
voluntarily labeling program that segregates computers, monitors and other equipment
based on their energy efficiency.
The biggest impact of the Energy Star ratings was manufacturers introducing the Sleep
mode in computers to attain a higher rating. Sleep mode places the consumer's
electronic equipment on standby when no user activity takes place during the pre-set
time.
The revised Energy Star Specifications of 2007 place stringent requirements to attain
energy star ratings. The new specifications determine efficient use of computing
technology through guidelines such as the companys e-waste reduction, regulatory
compliance, telecommuting policies, server resource virtualization, energy use cost
accounting, thin client solutions, and the like. Existing equipment has to re-qualify to
continue using the Energy Star logo.

1997 Kyoto Protocol

A landmark event in the history of green technology is the 1997 Kyoto Protocol for the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This protocol mandates
reducing carbon emissions.
The Kyoto Protocol made computer manufacturers undertake energy audits to calculate
the electricity used by the device over its lifetime and determine the quantum of carbon
dioxide emissions to take remedial action.

Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Directive (WEEE):

The European Unions adoption of Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in

February 2003 is a landmark in the history of green computing. The RoHS directive
restricts the use of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated
biphenyls, and polybrominated diphenyl ether in the manufacture of electronic and
electrical equipments.

The implementation of the RoHS was through the Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment Directive (WEEE) of 2005. This directive set targets for collection, recycling,
and recovery of electrical goods, aimed at reducing toxic e-waste.
These regulations forced manufacturers to use non-hazardous materials in the production
of chipsets, processors, and companion chips.

Green Electronics Councils Electronic Products Environmental Assessment (EPEAT):

The Green Electronics Council established in 2005 focused on special issues related to
electronics and sustainability, and sought constructive paths.
One of the spin-offs of the Green Electronics Council was the Electronic Products
Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT), a set of standards based on the IEEE 1680
Standard for Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer products. These
standards aimed at increasing the efficiency and life of the products, and minimizing
energy expenditures and maintenance activities throughout the life of the product.
The development of EPEAT took three years and funding from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), and since then has created a $60 billion market incentive for
greener laptops, desktops, and monitors.

Application of Green Technology by the Industry:

The recent history of green technology in computing is the history of various industry
leaders innovating to comply with regulations.
To reduce their carbon emission liability required by the 1997 Kyoto protocol, companies
such as VIA promoted research on alternative energy sources such as solar cells to
power computers. In 2001, VIA established the first-ever cyber community center in the
South Pacific powered entirely by solar technology.
Following the RoHS directives, VIA took the lead to substitute lead with a composite of tin,
silver and copper. VIAs Enhanced Ball Grid Array (EBGA) package contributed to the

development of power efficient processors, and the Heat Sink Ball Grid Array (HSBGA)
package contributed to the development of power efficient chipsets. These energyefficient processors produce over four times less carbon and are compatible with solarpowered devices.
Intel took the lead in virtualization software that allows a combination of several physical
systems into a virtual machine running on a single, powerful base system significantly
reducing power consumption.
Dell increased its investment in renewable energy from wind, solar and natural gas
capture, and offers free recycling to customers.
HP has adopted the use of recycled plastic resin in the manufacture of printers and inkjet
print cartridges in a big way.
Google and Intel started the Climate Savers Computing Initiative in 2007, a nonprofit
group of eco-conscious consumers, businesses, and conservation organizations aiming
to reduce carbon emissions by promoting development, deployment, and adoption of
smart technologies and improve the computers power delivery efficiency.
Green computing, also called green technology, is the environmentally responsible use of
computers and related resources. Such practices include the implementation of energyefficient central processing units (CPUs), servers and peripherals as well as reduced
resource consumption and proper disposal of electronic waste (e-waste).
One of the earliest initiatives toward green computing in the United States was the
voluntary labeling program known as Energy Star. It was conceived by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992 to promote energy efficiency in hardware of all kinds.
The Energy Star label became a common sight, especially in notebook computers and
displays. Similar programs have been adopted in Europe and Asia.
Government regulation, however well-intentioned, is only part of an overall green
computing philosophy. The work habits of computer users and businesses can be
modified to minimize adverse impact on the global environment. Here are some steps
that can be taken:
Features:

Power-down the CPU and all peripherals during extended periods of inactivity.

Try to do computer-related tasks during contiguous, intensive blocks of time,

leaving hardware off at other times.

Power-up and power-down energy-intensive peripherals such as laser printers

according to need.

Use liquid-crystal-display (LCD) monitors rather than cathode-ray-tube (CRT)

monitors.

Use notebook computers rather than desktop computers whenever possible.

Use the power-management features to turn off hard drives and displays after
several minutes of inactivity.

Minimize the use of paper and properly recycle waste paper.

Dispose of e-waste according to federal, state and local regulations.

Employ alternative energy sources for computing workstations, servers, networks

and data centers.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Green Computing :

Advantages :
Reduced energy usage from green computing techniques translates into lower carbon
dioxide emissions, stemming from a reduction in the fossil fuel used in power plants and
transportation.
Conserving resources means less energy is required to produce, use, and dispose of
products.
Saving energy and resources saves money.
Green computing even includes changing government policy to encourage recycling and
lowering energy use by individuals and businesses.
Reduce the risk existing in the laptops such as chemical known to cause cancer, nerve
damage and immune reactions in humans.

Disadvantages :
Green computing could actually be quite costly.
Some computers that are green may be considerably underpowered.
Rapid technology change
Conclusion
The adoption of green technology in computing has received considerable interest in
recent years as more and more companies realize that going green is in their best
interest, both in terms of public relations and reduced costs.

Manufacturers today aim to improve energy efficiency by creating designs that minimize
power waste and reduce emissions. Companies reduce the amount of toxic waste
materials in the manufacturing process by using recyclable materials and offering to
recycle old products.

The application of solutions such as IP video solutions to reduce in-person meetings, the
increased use of Wi-Fi and WiMax networks and other such initiatives are still in their
nascent stages of development and further improvements in such green technology
initiatives will help conserve the world's precious resources in a much better way.
The application of green technology in computing has come a long way since its inception
in the early 1990s. An analysis of the history of green computing however indicates that
the the concept is still in its nascent stage and has a long way to go.
References:
o

graybar.com. Green Computing and D-Link

Ecoseed.org. Green Computing

HP Eco Solutions: Environmental History