Software to Cut Energy Wastage Could Save Comapnies Big

February 9th, 2009

My first thought when seeing this story was that we already have this in most computers. You can have your PC shut itself down whenever you want if it isn’t being used in Windows at least. Have it hibernate, shut down, go to standby, whatever. In fact, I’m still trying to figure out how exactly this is an innovation.

So let’s jut look at the story and see if we can figure out what makes this so special. First, a bit of background on the need for it and the reason for the software being developed.

Using the University of Liverpool as a test model the team discovered that 1,600 library-based PC’s alone were using 20,000 kW each week unnecessarily – equating to approximately £2,400 in current electricity prices. PowerDown has so far recovered 24 million hours of PC inactivity within the University.

“An average PC, left on for 24 hours a day but used for only 40 hours a week, uses around 17kW of electricity, of which 13kW is wasted. That figure does not take into consideration other costs such as in air-conditioned buildings, where additional cooling is required to remove the heat created by active computers.”

I don’t get it. Of course this would save money. Isn’t this just common sense? Why don’t these computers already do this? They do at my library. All I see out there about this “new software” is this press release. Not enough background info for me to gain any understanding as to why this wasn’t possible before. I’m sure I could get some New York Yankees tickets and get the same tech at a ballgame.

Anyone have any ideas why this is a big deal? Seems like some slick software guys just sold some idiots something they already had. I’m sure it is easier to use and whatnot, but what am I missing here?