Intel’s attitude to energy efficient performance and the effect it has on sustainable development globally

Environmental concern is one of today’s leading issues. As our technological and industrial advancements continue to accelerate, society is becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact caused by the inevitable energy generation and consumption involved.
Millions of people use computers in their everyday life and subsequently millions of people use processors manufactured by the well known company Intel.
Making technology that meets the demands set by consumers and industry is a complex task. There are many factors affecting the design of Intel’s processors. Arguably one of the most important is the effect the components have on the environment. But what ways are Intel managing the energy efficiency of their products? Have they made it a priority?

Lead-free and halogen-free products

Lead and halogen materials have been used in different areas of the electronics industry for many years. With additional research and awareness, concerns have been rising about the impact they have on the environment. Intel has completely removed the use of lead from their 45nm high-k metal gate process technology and have set ambitious targets to remove halogen from their products in 2008.

Other examples of Intel’s changes:

• Saved over 9 billion gallons of fresh water through their water reuse and recycling methods
• Recycled more than 70 percent of their chemical and solid wastes
• Reduced their global warming gas emissions to the equivalent of removing 50,000 cars from the road

The Climate Savers Computing Initiative

What is it?

Originally founded in partnership between Google and Intel, this initiative aims to bring together industry, consumers, government, and conservation organisations in order to achieve its aim of significantly increasing the energy efficiency of computers. The wasted electricity from the majority of today’s computers is completely unnecessary. It increases the cost to power computers, but more importantly increases the emissions of greenhouse gases.
The Climate Savers Computing Initiative group claims that “improving the energy efficiency of computers is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce electricity consumption and the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.” 1

How does it work?

The electricity required to power computers needs to be significantly reduced. Of course this task on its own is very simple, however when combined with the demands for performance a number of different factors are introduced. The initiative works by recruiting computer and component manufactures that agree to producing products that meet the targets set by the initiative.
The initiative will increase consumers and IT personnel’s understanding of the subject. By educating people about power management, and explaining clearly how individuals can reduce their electrical footprint they are confident they can make a difference.

What are its targets and objectives?

Among the initiatives targets is the aim to reduce global CO2 emissions from computer operation by 54 million tons per year by 2010. This can be equated to the annual output of approximately 11 million cars or even 10-20 coal fired power plants. (The reduction targets are based on the IDC projections)

The technical impacts of the Climate Savers Computing Initiative

The new Energy Star standard for desktops, laptops, and workstations, which takes effect in July
2007, requires power supplies to be at least 80 percent efficient for most of their load range. This means that there will be technical impacts into ways of making the products meet this target.
In terms of the performance of the computers, there will be little or no change. The initiative aims to keep up with the performance demands, but be more efficient at the same time.

The financial impacts of the Climate Savers Computing Initiative

It is expected that the high-efficiency systems will cost slightly more than normal systems, both to buy as a consumer and to produce. It is estimated that they will initially cost $20 more for desktops and $30 more for servers. People will probably have no problem in spending such a small amount, especially when they have realised how much it will contribute to saving the environment. Additionally the initial price increase is expected to be compensated as consumers and companies make massive energy savings over the first 1-2 years.
As demand and production increases the cost to produce the new high-efficiency systems go down, so this makes the future financial impacts seem far from negative.
To explain the financial savings more “a saving of just 20-30 watts in power consumption translates into a saving of $5.31 per year”

A future where industry is governed by strict climate control targets may start off to be seen as negative where finance is concerned. This is understandable but I feel it is the only way forward that is guaranteed to work. A lot of companies may slack where energy efficiency is concerned, especially if they have no real reason to focus their development in that area.

The political impacts of the Climate Savers Computing Initiative

After Google and Intel formed the Climate Savers Computing Initiative, they said that more than 25 other companies have signed up for membership. This includes Dell, HP, IBM, Microsoft, AMD, Sun Microsystems, eBay, and others. Interest from these top companies after such a small amount of time means the political impact could be huge. Whether the companies are joining this with energy efficiency or company profile in mind is in some ways irrelevant. The system is set up in order to reduce emissions, and I think it will. I feel the political impact links in with the image a company has. Everyone knows that energy efficiency is an important factor; if any companies within the sector chose NOT to be part of it their image and objectives would be severely questioned. Because of this more and more companies are continuing to join the initiative. I expect this pattern to continue and develop over time. It is possible that the methods and practices put in use by these companies may someday become standard practice or may even be enforced as government legislation.

Conclusion

Reducing the power consumption of PC’s and servers has many secondary benefits. It reduces electrical and air-conditioning loads in areas such as offices, data centres and homes. This in turn reduces the strain on the regional generation facilities and the entire electrical grid. Another secondary benefit is that it reduces emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.
After analysing the impacts of the initiative there are little or no negative points. This of course is providing that the projections that have been made are relatively accurate. It seems that Intel, alongside other leading names in the electronics industry have begun to make considerable progress. As a consumer, knowing I could purchase a computer that saved me money, saved the environment and at the same time performed satisfactorily is an attractive offer.
I expect the awareness of this program, and other similar programs to increase rapidly in the coming years. Although this report only covers the progress made by Intel (in the electronics and computer industry) it can be used to predict the effect it could have on other market segments and the climate change objective as a whole. Other industries could look at what Intel is doing here and feel that they could achieve something similar. That is why I think that sustainable technology is going to become essential for every industry, and continue to grow as a topic.

References:**__

[1] Climate Savers Computing Initiative (2007) Climate Savers Computing Initiative white paper viewed on 13 Jan, 2008, http://www.climatesaverscomputing.org/media/whitepaper11302007.pdf
[2] Intel Official Website (2008) viewed on 11 Jan, 2008, http://www.intel.com/technology/eco-technology/climatesavers.htm?iid=technology_stayinformedtables+rhc_climatesavers
[3] Intel Official Website (2008) viewed on 11 Jan, 2008, http://www.intel.com/technology/energyefficient/index.htm?iid=technology_lhn+energy-efficient
[4] Intel Official Website (2008) viewed on 11 Jan, 2008, http://www.intel.com/technology/epa/index.htm?iid=tech_ee+body_epa
[5] PC MAG (2007) Energy Efficient computing plan viewed on 12, Jan, 2008, http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2704,2145576,00.asp