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Big computer makers pitch energy efficiency to sell more services, equipment
mongabay.com
September 9, 2008


Tech giants are using high power costs to market new energy efficiency computers to large corporate data centers, reports the Wall Street Journal.

"Ironically, the companies that designed and sold those computers are now able to capitalize on the higher power bills the machines rack up," writes William M. Bulkeley.

Power consumption by data centers now accounts for 1.5 percent of U.S. electricity use, according to estimates from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Computer makers say that re-vamping data centers to run more efficiently can save considerable amounts of cash while improving performance.

Both International Business Machines Corp. (IBM), Hewlett-Packard Co. (H-P) have unveiled energy-efficiency consulting services. They are also selling more energy-efficient hardware.

Yesterday Intel rolled out its new low-power Xeon chip. The firm touted the chips as the first to be made without halogen. Halogen is difficult to recycle, contains toxic compounds, and is thought to contribute to global warming.

Cutting Tech's Energy Bill. Wall Street Journal September 9, 2008