Microsoft has announced plans to support four academic research projects focused on energy-efficient computing as part of its Sustainable Computing Program.
The initiatives focus on data centre power efficiency, power management and the creation of parallel computing architectures with decreased energy demands.
The idea is to stimulate research across a broad range of areas with the potential significantly to improve energy efficiency.
Microsoft External Research said that a single 100-watt incandescent light bulb left on for a year costs more than $80 to power and releases 1,350 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.
This is roughly the same amount of power that an idle PC uses in that same time, and the company said that finding ways to lessen humankind's impact on the environment is critical.
"We want to open new avenues of research and raise the awareness of power as a critical resource that needs to be managed," said Sailesh Chutani, senior director of Microsoft External Research.
"Through this programme, we are encouraging novel thinking about how to reduce that power consumption and how to make technology more environmentally friendly in the future."
Microsoft's Sustainable Computing Program explores two main areas of research that can have a major impact.
The first is the principle of 'pay for play'. This is the idea that the power consumed by a computing device should be proportional to the demand placed on it, lowering the amount of energy consumed at low load and when idle.
Secondly, energy efficiency, even at peak loads, is equally important in reducing overall consumption and should be managed as a first-class resource.
"We applaud the efforts of these academic researchers to develop innovative technologies to reduce energy usage and lessen the impact on the environment," said Rob Bernard, chief environmental strategist at Microsoft.
"Microsoft believes in the potential of software to help create a more sustainable environment.
"The Sustainable Computing Program is just one example of Microsoft's ongoing commitment to help businesses and consumers drive change through energy efficiency."
Inventor claims ethanol fuel at a dollar a gallon 28 Apr 2008
Firm vows to halve CO2 output by 2020 24 Apr 2008
Two-thirds rated 'average' or 'worse than average' 23 Apr 2008
North American study argues improvements to existing and new buildings represent quickest way of deliver deep cuts in emissions 18 Mar 2008
Smart technologies to help other industries reduce emissions 08 Apr 2008Nightwatchman will help the OGC boost its carbon cutting credentials 21 May 2008
Intelligent Energy ramps up funding for R&D and partnerships 04 Jul 2008
Focus on energy savings through fuel efficiency for homes and public and commercial buildings 04 Jul 2008
ActionAid accuses G8 of driving more people into poverty by pursing biofuels and cutting agri-aid 04 Jul 2008
More news
Businesses' new found focus on the environment may be welcome, but according to Conrad MacKerron, it is taking attention away from workers' rights issues – and the credibility of the entire green business movement could be at risk 03 Jul 2008
It may be a year old, but as Dell's Jonathan Perry explains, firms looking to get rid of their old IT kit still need to pay attention to the WEEE directive 02 Jul 2008
Telling customers about your environmental targets is all well and good but, as Paul Thomas argues, they are meaningless if you do not know how they are to be achieved 01 Jul 2008 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
