HP has stepped up its push into the green technology space, agreeing to license its transparent transistor technology to solar panel start-up Xtreme Energetics (XE) and unveiling new plans to reduce the environmental impact of IT.
The transparent transistor technology, co-developed with Oregon State University, will enable XE to build low-profile panels which are not required to mechanically track the sun.
According to the companies, the transparent transistors will improve the overall efficiency of the panels by allowing more light to penetrate the solar cells.
Promising energy yields at twice the efficiency and half the cost of traditional solar panels, the technology comprises thin-film transparent transistors, which the companies said would allow for higher mobility, better chemical stability and easier manufacture than panels using silicon. The panels will also use lower cost materials, such as zinc and tin, according to XE.
Meanwhile, HP has also announced three new projects from its Sustainable IT Lab designed to enhance the green credentials of IT systems.
The first of the projects aims to cut datacentre energy consumption by up to 75 per cent through applying various energy-saving technologies and novel cooling techniques.
The other projects include replacing copper wires with optical laser technology, which uses less power in transmission; and developing a set of tools to model, predict, measure and manage the environmental impact of product manufacturing, supply chains and business processes.
The latter is particularly pertinent in IT where increasingly globalised supply chains mean a notebook PC, for example, may clock up enough component transport miles to circumnavigate the globe twice before the finished product arrives in the hands of its end user.
The projects are part of a wave of initiatives from IT manufacturers such as HP, Dell and IBM designed to enhance the energy efficiency and green credentials that has faced increasing scrutiny from legislators over its environmental impact.
The US Environmental Protection Agency recently estimated that datacentres account for 1.5 per cent of US energy consumption, some 150 billion kWh in 2005, 60 billion kWh of which was consumed by cooling equipment.
In the UK, BT's datacentres are estimated to use about 0.7 per cent of the UK's electricity consumption.
Patni says customers increasingly demand environmental credentials for supplier 17 Aug 2009
US firm ditches solar windows in favour of new manufacturing technique for building integrated solar panels 11 Aug 2009
Japanese firm's solar cells to power up cabin's air con systems 23 Oct 2009
Thin-film solar maker says a new manufacturing site will help cut 350 million tons of C02 07 Sep 2009
BioSolar claims to have successfully tested key solar panel components made from renewable bio-polymers 10 Feb 2009
Resolution follows similar decision by Shell shareholders last month 09 Feb 2010
Measures needed to ensure cars do not charge from fossil fuel-powered grid 09 Feb 2010
Researchers use salicornia plants in carbon-negative process to grow biofuels 09 Feb 2010
More news
Friends of the Earth’s biofuels campaigner Kenneth Richter argues that biofuel targets are a distraction from tried-and-tested ways of reducing transport emissions 09 Feb 2010
Trewin Restorick wonders if the concept du jour of "nudging" behaviour change can help curb UK carbon emissions 08 Feb 2010
From feed in tariffs to vanishing top soil, we run down the top stories from the past week 08 Feb 2010 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
