International Journal of Scientific Research Engineering & Technology (IJSRET), ISSN 2278 0882

Volume 3 Issue 1, April 2014

Achieving Green Computing

Deepak Kumar, Deepika, Disha Papneja, Ipsita Vashista
Department of Computer Science
Dronacharya College of Engineering
Gurgaon, India

ABSTRACT
increased supply by decreasing the demand of
energy, by providing energy efficient products.

Since the computers have been made the focus have been
on faster analysis, speedier calculations and solving more
complex problems in less amount of time. But the time has
come to change the prime focus from achieving high speed
to go green. This change has been initiated by the various
environment organization, industries and businesses. The
aim of Green Computing is to reduce the Carbon
footprints, conserve energy, manage E-waste, increase
energy efficiency and at the same time reduce cost. This
paper presents several green initiatives which are
underway in computer industry and the issues that have
been raised with regard to these initiatives.

I.

INTRODUCTION

Green Computing basically involves designing, building,

operating computer systems along with maximizing energy
efficiency during the products lifetime, reducing
hazardous materials used, promoting the recycling and
biodegradation of factory wastes and dysfunctional
products. [1]The focus should now be shifted on the power
bill because the amount spent on data centers power has
doubled in past six years. Data centers are the main reason
behind increased Energy Consumption.
Google data center building is located on Oregons
Columbia River to tap hydroelectric power, while
Microsoft center is located in Washington to chase cheaper
data center power.
The consumers awareness has also increased, apart from a
large no. of features and a good product quality, they now
demand ecofriendly products.

II.

4. Reduced wastage and recycling of the used

materials is required.
5. It is estimated that out of the power produced by
spending $250 billion per year on powering
computers, only 15% of the power is actually
used, rest is wasted.
6. Green Computing ensures that no or minimum
amount of hazardous materials like PVC, heavy
metals, retardants, etc. are used.
7. Green computing features include: power
efficiency, encouraging recycling, leess hazardous
and better manufacturing material, increased
longevity and reduced Carbon footprints.

III.

IMPLEMENTATIONS
COMPUTING

OF

GREEN

3.1 Blackle:
Blackle is a search-engine site powered by Google Search.
According to Blackle when a computer screen is white,
presenting an empty word page or the Google home page,
a computer consumes 74W. When the screen isblack it
consumes only 59W. Based on this theory if everyone
switched from Googleto Blackle, savings of 750MW per
year would take place. This was a really good
implementation of Green Computing. The principle behind
Blackle is based on the fact that the display of different
colors consumes different amounts of energy on computer
monitors.

NEED FOR GREEN COMPUTING

The stages in life cycle of Green Computing includes:

strategy, design, implementation, operation and continual
improvements. The main reasons for Green Computing
are:
1. To lower the Carbon footprints on Earth.
2. Serious Cost saving (which includes the cost of
servers, cooling and lighting in corporations).
3. Energy efficiency, i.e. to the energy demand
increases its supply decreases, so to manage this

3.2 Fit-PC: a tiny PC that draws only 5w:

Fit-PC is the size of a paperback and absolutely silent, yet
fit enough to run Windows XP or Linux. It is a great
alternative to the standard PC as standard PC is too bulky,
noisy and power hungry. Fit-PC draws only 5 Watts,
consuming in a day less power than a traditional PC
consumes in 1 hour. Fit-PC can be used 24*7 without
making a dent in the power bill.

www.ijsret.org

60

International Journal of Scientific Research Engineering & Technology (IJSRET), ISSN 2278 0882
Volume 3 Issue 1, April 2014
3.3 Zonbu Computer:
The Zonbu is a new, energy efficient PC. The Zonbu
consumes just one third ofthe power of a typical light bulb.
The device runs the Linux operating system using a1.2
gigahertz processor and 512 Meg of RAM. It contains no
moving parts, not even a fan. You can get one for as little
as US$99, but it require youto sign up for a two-year
subscription."
3.4 The Asus Eee PC and other ultra-portables:
The "ultra-portable" class of personal computers is
characterized by a smallsize, fairly low power CPU,
compact screen, low cost and innovations such as
usingflash memory for storage rather than hard drives with
spinning platters. These factorscombine to enable them to
run more efficiently and use less power than a
standardform factor laptop. The Asus Eee PC is one
example of an ultraportable. It is the sizeof a paperback,
weighs less than a kilogram, has built-in Wi-Fi and uses
flash memory instead of a hard drive. It runs on Linux.

IV.

APPROACHES TO GREEN
COMPUTING
A. Developing a Green Machine:
Activation of the power management feature on the
computers saves energy and money while helping the
environment. The SLEEP and HIBERNATE are the
two features that help in energy savings. These
functions can be activated manually or through the
operating systems pre-set power management
settings.

Sleep Mode:
Sleep or standby mode is responsible for conserving
energy by cutting off power to the display, hard drive, and
peripherals. After a pre-set period of inactivity, the
computer switches to a low power state. When the cursor
is moved or any key is pressed, sleep mode exits and
computer is taken back to its previous operating state.
Sleep mode is an especially effective way to conserve
battery power in a laptop computer.
Hibernate Mode:
Hibernate mode is responsible for saving energy and
protecting the data by copying system data to a reserved
area on hard drive and then completely turning off your
computer. It also reduces wear and tear of the components.
When the power is turned on, the data is retrieved and the
computer is on the same state just as it was before the
hibernation mode. The system automatically goes into
hibernate mode any time the battery power reaches a
critically low level.

B. Software and deployment optimization

1. Algorithmic efficiency:
The efficiency of algorithms has an impact on allocating
the computing. While algorithmic efficiency does not have
as much impact as other approaches, it is still an important
consideration. A study by a physicist at Harvard, estimated
that the average Google search released 7 grams of carbon
dioxide (CO).However, Google disputes this figure,
arguing instead that a typical search produces only 0.2
grams of CO.[2]
2. Resource allocation:
Algorithms can also be used to route data to data centers
where electricity is less expensive. Researchers from MIT,
Carnegie Mellon University, and Akamai have tested an
energy allocation algorithm that successfully routes traffic
to the location with the cheapest energy costs. [3] The
researchers project up to a 40 percent savings on energy
costs if their proposed algorithm were to be deployed.
Strictly speaking, this approach does not actually reduce
the amount of energy being used; it only reduces the cost
to the company using it.
Larger server centers are sometimes located where energy
and land are inexpensive and readily available. Local
availability of renewable energy, climate that allows
outside air to be used for cooling, or locating them where
the heat they produce may be used for other purposes
could be factors in green siting decisions.
C. Virtualization
Instead of having one computer for each service or set of
services, you can instead consolidate each server onto a
larger virtualized system that uses its resources to the
fullest, and has a smaller energy footprint.
Its advantages are:
a) Reducing the total amount of hardware used in the
environment
b) Idle Virtual servers can be turned off
c) The virtualized server will have less idle time and
hence, less wastage
d) The total volume of space, air, and rent will be reduced.
Data centers can use up to 100 times the energy per square
foot of typical office space.
e) Some power companies pay rebates for conversion to
virtualized systems.
D. Carbon free computing
Carbon-emissions control has been an important issue for
many companies who have expressed a strong
commitment towards sustainability. Dell is a good

www.ijsret.org

61

International Journal of Scientific Research Engineering & Technology (IJSRET), ISSN 2278 0882
Volume 3 Issue 1, April 2014
example of a company with a green image, known for its
free worldwide product-recycling program. Dells Plant a
Tree for Me project allows customers to offset their carbon
emissions by paying an extra $2 to $4, depending on the
product purchased.[4] AMD, a global microprocessor
manufacturer, is also working toward reducing energy
consumption in its products, cutting back on hazardous
waste and reducing its eco-impact. The companys use of
silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology in its manufacturing,
and strained silicon capping films on transistors (known as
dual stress liner technology), have contributed to
reduced power consumption in its products.[5]
E. Solar Computing
VIA is setting its eyes on the solar energy, amid the
international race towards green computing and the
company's Solar Computing initiative is a significant part
of this project. For that purpose, VIA partnered with
Motech Industries, one of the largest producers of solar
cells worldwide. Solar cells fit VIA's power-efficient
silicon, platform, and system technologies and enable the
company to develop fully solar-powered devices that are
nonpolluting, silent, and highly reliable. Solar cells require
very little maintenance throughout their lifetime, and once
initial installation costs are covered, they provide energy at
virtually no cost. Worldwide production of solar cells has
increased rapidly over the last few years; and as more
governments begin to recognize the benefits of solar
power, and the development of photovoltaic technologies
goes on, costs are expected to continue to decline. As part
of VIA's pc-1 initiative, the company established the
first-ever solar-powered cyber community center in the
South Pacific, powered entirely by solar technology. [6]
F. Quiet computing
A central goal of VIAs green-computing initiative is the
development of energy-efficient platforms for low-power,
small-form-factor (SFF) computing devices. In 2005, the
company introduced the VIA C7-M and VIA C7
processors that have a maximum power consumption of
20W at 2.0GHz and an average power consumption of
1W. These energy-efficient processors produce over four
times less carbon during their operation and can be
efficiently embedded in solar-powered devices. [7]
VIA isnt the only company to address environmental
concerns: Intel, the world's largest semiconductor maker,
revealed eco-friendly products at a recent conference in
London. The company uses virtualization software, a
technique that enables Intel to combine several physical
systems into a virtual machine that runs on a single,
powerful base system, thus significantly reducing power
consumption. Earlier this year, Intel joined Google,

Microsoft, and other companies in the launch of the

Climate Savers Computing Initiative that commits
businesses to meet the Environmental Protection Agencys
Energy Star guidelines for energy-efficient devices. Kevin
Fisher, Intels EU standards director, says that while the
company is dedicated to its green-computing plans, it is
important to not blame the IT industry alone for carbon
emissions worldwide. He argues that the industry also
helps in saving huge amounts of power due to the Internet,
enabling, for example, online shopping and billing.
Worldwide, standby power is estimated to account for as
much as 1 percent of global greenhouse emissions. Most of
the energy used by products on standby does not result any
useful function. A small amount can be needed for
maintaining memory or an internal clock, remote-control
activation, or other features; but most standby power is
wasted energy. Energy Starenabled products minimize
this waste. [8]

V.

SUMMARY: THE STEPS TOWARDS

GREEN COMPUTING

It is better to do computer-related tasks during

contiguous blocks of time, and hardware should be
powered off at other times.
Recycling the old components and using biodegradable
material for manufacturing is the approach adopted by
designers, nowadays.
Avoidingthe use of screen savers contributes to energy
savings by allowing a monitor to enter in stand-by mode.
Replacing petroleum-filled plastic with bio plastics
plant-based polymersrequire less oil and energy to
produce than traditional plastics with a challenge to keep
these bio plastic computers cool so that electronics won't
melt them landfills can be controlled by making best use of
the device by upgrading and repairing in time with a need
to make such processes (i.e., up gradation and repairing)
easier and cheaper.
reducing the use of toxic materials like lead can be
replaced by silver and copper making recycling of
computers (which is expensive and time consuming at
present) more effective by recycling computer parts
separately with a option of reuse or resale.
Efficient and effective printing and use of recycled
content paper whenever possible is another good practice.
Most printers today have a two-sided printing option
which can dramatically reduce paper consumption.
Recycled used ink and toner cartridges may also be used.
It is important to design computers which can be powered
with low power obtained from nonconventional energy
sources like solar energy, pedaling a bike, turning a handcrank etc
Energy efficient display options include:

www.ijsret.org

62

International Journal of Scientific Research Engineering & Technology (IJSRET), ISSN 2278 0882
Volume 3 Issue 1, April 2014
1. No video card or use of shared terminal, shared thin
client, or desktop sharing software if display required.
2. Use motherboard video output - typically low 3D
performance and low power.
3. Reuse of older video card that uses little power; many of
which do not require heat sinks or fans
IT vendors also are applying green standards to their
own operations. The reasons are:
1. New revenue opportunities
2. Fear of a customer backlash
3. Desire to act like good corporate citizens
4. Instead of having one computer for each service or set
of services, you can instead consolidate each server onto a
larger virtualized system that uses its resources to the
fullest, and has a much smaller energy footprint. [4]
This benefits in several ways:
1. It reduces the total amount of hardware used in your
environment.
2. Idle Virtual servers can be powered off.
3. The virtualized server will have much less idle time and
waste less.
4. The total volume of space, air, and rent will be reduced.
Data centers can use up to 100 times the energy per square
foot of typical office space.
5. Some power companies pay rebates for conversion to
virtualized systems.
The awareness programmer may include the following
major issues:
6. Green computing minimizes the energy consumption of
the organization i.e. minimizes the power bill.
7. Use of non-toxic material in the equipment makes the
worker safe from health problem and occupational
hazards.
8. It saves the resource of the country as a whole.
9. In the long term these green equipment will be less
costly without any hidden cost of waste and enhanced
resource consumption without any detrimental effect of
accuracy, performance and longevity.
Sun created a Sun Eco office to oversee all of the
companys green programs, including telecommuting but
also core products such as low-power servers. One more
vital step can be taken in Green Computing is that
hardware design the machines to conserve energy &
minimize the E- waste disposal,which will be our future
work naming as Green Computer: green revolution in
computing.

VI.

environment, by finding out the alternative ways of

designing the system and a processor. Green computing
doesnt just involves designing biodegradable packages,
but it has a whole new dimension to it,i.e. to ensure
environmentally sustainable computing or IT systems. So
Green Computing aims to carry on research to design,
develop and implement environment friendly algorithms,
hardware/software and computing systems.
Green Computing represents a responsible way to address
the issue of global warming.
REFERENCES
[1]. Arpad Horvath and Eric Masanet. Enterprise
Strategies for Reducing the Life-Cycle Energy Use and
Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Personal Computers.
Proceedings of the 2006 IEEE International Symposium
on Electronics and the Environment, 2006.
[2]. Googles Green Computing: Efficiency at Scale 2011
[3]. Googles Green Computing: Efficiency at Scale 2011
[4].
Dell
Inspiron
15
Review.
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=516
5&p=2, (2011)
[5]. Methods, Metrics and Motivation for a Green
Computer Science Program MujtabaTalebi and Thomas
Way [2008]
[6]. Methods, Metrics and Motivation for a Green
Computer Science Program MujtabaTalebi and Thomas
Way [2008]
[7]. S.V.S.S. Lakshmi, Ms. I Sri LalitaSarwani,
M.NaliniTuveera , International Journal of Engineering
Research and Applications (IJERA), August 2012- A
Study On Green Computing: The Future Computing And
Eco-Friendly Technology
[8]. Bruce Nordman, Alan Meier and Mary Ann Piette. PC
and Monitor Night Status: Power Management Enabling
and Manual Turn-Off. Proceedings of the American
Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, 2000.

CONCLUSION

Green Computing basically is a mindset of satisfying the

growing demands of network computing without putting
too much strain on environment. The basic aim is to satisfy
the customers without increasing the demands on
www.ijsret.org

63