Google has a new concern - saving electricity. They’re not just trying to alter things within the sprawling Google complex, though. In a new white paper, the company “is calling on the computer industry to create a simpler and more efficient power supply standard.”
John Markoff of The New York Times described Google’s plan, which “calls for a shift from multivoltage power supplies to a single 12-volt standard. Although voltage conversion would still take place on the PC motherboard, the simpler design of the new power supply would make it easier to achieve higher overall efficiencies.”
Chris Calwell, the vice president and director for policy and research at Ecos Consulting, indicated that the industry has been working on the problem for some time. “We now have 70 compliant designs from 15 to 20 manufacturers,” he told Markoff.
The problem with current PC power supplies is “overprovisioning,” which Calwell compared to “putting a 400-horsepower engine in every car, just because some cars have to tow large trailers every once in a while,” Calwell said. As a car guy, I sort of resent that analogy - powerful cars are fun, and cars with 400 horsepower are rarely attached to trailers. In electrical terms, though, it’s a valid argument.
If you doubt Google’s commitment, look at Google co-founder Larry Page, who made an appearance at the Consumer Electronics show to push for conservation. “I’m going to just plead with all of you, let’s get the power supply problems fixed, or let’s get all these devices talking together,” he said.
By the way, Larry Page has provided financial backing for Tesla Motors - I think he understands the power issue as it relates to both cars and electricity.
Tag: Google
Add to 
Del.icio.us | 
Digg | 
Yahoo! My Web | 
Furl
Bookmark WebProNews: 
Leave a Reply