Intel and Google Join with Dell, EDS, EPA, HP, IBM, Lenovo, Microsoft, PG&E, World Wildlife Fund and Others to Launch Climate Savers Computing Initiative
Broad effort organized to drive energy-efficient computing; goal to save $5.5 billion in energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 54 million tons per year*
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 12, 2007 – Intel Corporation and Google Inc. joined with Dell, EDS, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), HP, IBM, Lenovo, Microsoft, PG&E, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and more than 25 additional organizations today announced the Climate Savers Computing Initiative (www.climatesaverscomputing.org). The goal of the new broad-based environmental effort is to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by setting aggressive new targets for energy-efficient computers and components, and promoting the adoption of energy-efficient computers and power management tools worldwide. "Today, the average desktop PC wastes nearly half of its power, and the average server wastes one-third of its power," said Urs Hölzle, senior vice president, Operations & Google Fellow. "The Climate Savers Computing Initiative is setting a new 90 percent efficiency target for power supplies, which if achieved, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 54 million tons per year – and save more than $5.5 billion in energy costs. "We are asking businesses and individuals throughout the world to join with us to institute better power management of their computing equipment and purchase energy-efficient computers," Hölzle added. Initial companies who intend to participate in the initiative represent both the demand and supply side of the computer industry, including computer manufacturers and chip makers, as well as environmental groups, energy companies, retailers, government agencies and more. The group will formalize its membership in coming weeks. "By 2010, the Climate Savers Computing Initiative will cut greenhouse gas emissions in an amount equal to removing more than 11 million cars from the road or shutting down 20 500-megawatt coal-fired power plants – a significant step in reducing the emissions affecting our planet," said Pat Gelsinger, senior vice president and general manager of Intel’s Digital Enterprise Group.
"Computers have helped us make huge strides toward a more efficient world today, with reduced travel, more productivity, online transactions and more," Gelsinger added. "But with today’s latest energy-efficient technologies, we can do even more. The commitment of the member companies that are here with us today is a firm statement to the collective resolve to make an enormous impact."
Computer and computer component manufacturers who support the initiative are committed to building energy-efficient products that meet or surpass the EPA’s Energy Star® guidelines. Businesses must also commit to requiring high efficiency systems for the majority of their corporate desktop PCs and volume server purchases, and to deploy and use power management tools on desktop PCs.
Individual consumers can also support the Climate Savers Computing Initiative by signing up at www.climatesaverscomputing.org, where they will be able to pledge to purchase an initiative-certified system. The Web site will also help consumers learn how to take advantage of their existing computer’s power-saving capabilities such as sleep and hibernate modes, which can reduce the amount of energy consumed by up to 60 percent.
The Climate Savers Computing Initiative licensed its name from the WWF Climate Savers program, which involves several leading companies working to reduce their carbon footprint.
"This is the first time our Climate Savers program has been applied to an entire sector, engaging manufacturers, retailers and consumers," said John Donoghue, senior vice president for the World Wildlife Fund. "We are pleased to join these industry leaders to provide solutions to address climate change."
The initiative’s energy efficiency benchmarks will initially follow the EPA’s Energy Star guidelines; but with increasing requirements during the next several years. For example, 2007 Energy Star specifications require that PC power supplies meet at least 80 percent minimum efficiency. The initiative would require a minimum of 90 percent by 2010. In addition, the initiative sets a higher efficiency target in the power supply for volume servers (1U and 2U single-socket and dual-socket systems): an increase from 85 percent to 92 percent efficiency by 2010. For a complete description of the requirements, see www.climatesaverscomputing.org.
Initial Supporters
Intel Corporation (www.intel.com), Google Inc. (www.google.com), Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (www.amd.com), Canonical Ltd. (www.canonical.com), Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (www.citris-uc.org), Coldwatt, Inc. (www.coldwatt.com), Dell Inc. (www.dell.com), Delta Electronics, Inc (www.delta.com.tw), eBay (www.ebay.com), Electronic Data Systems Corporation (www.eds.com), EMC Corporation (www.emc.com), Fujitsu Limited (www.fujitsu.com), HP (www.hp.com), Hipro Technology Inc. (www.hipro-us.com), Hitachi, Ltd. (www.hitachi.com), IBM Corporation (www.ibm.com), LANDesk Software (www.landesk.com), Lenovo (www.lenovo.com), Linux Foundation (www.linux-foundation.com), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (web.mit.edu), Microsoft Corporation (www.microsoft.com), Natural Resources Defense Council (www.nrdc.com), NEC Corporation (www.nec.com), One Laptop Per Child (laptop.org), PG&E Corporation (www.pgecorp.com), Power-One, Inc. (www.power-one.com), Quanta Computer Inc. (www.quantatw.com), Rackable Systems (www.rackable.com), Red Hat, Inc. (www.redhat.com), Starbucks Corporation (www.starbucks.com), Sun Microsystems, Inc. (www.sun.com), Supermicro Computer Inc. (www.supermicro.com), Ubuntu (www.ubuntu.com), Unisys (www.unisys.com) United States Environmental Protection Agency (www.epa.gov), University of Michigan (www.umich.edu), Verdiem Corporation (www.verdiem.com), World Resources Institute (www.wri.org), World Wildlife Fund (www.worldwildlife.org), Yahoo! Inc. (www.yahoo.com).
About Intel
Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom. Information on Intel’s environmental programs and policies is available at www.intel.com/intel/other/ehs/.
About Google Inc.
Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.
Media Contacts:
Barry Schnitt
Google Inc.
650-930-3555
barry@google.com
Bill Calder
Intel Corporation
503-264-5669
bill.calder@intel.com
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* Based on IDC projections of desktop and server volumes between 2007 and 2011. Emissions savings in mid-2010, and savings are annual starting in 2010.
* Climate Savers ® is a trademark or registered trademark of WWF used under license. Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
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