Energy Star For Servers

The EPA's discussions with computing-equipment makers and data centeroperators has shown "compelling evidence of the need for this specification. Butthe certification isn't a foregone conclusion: "In the coming months, EPA willconduct an analysis to determine whether such a specification for servers isviable, given current market dynamics, the availability and performance ofenergy-efficient designs and the potential energy savings. Hot processors, powersupplies, memory chips and other components raise utility bills, strainelectricity distribution systems and overtax air-conditioning. President GeorgeW. Bush signed a bill that urges Americans to buy energy-efficient servers, andthe Department of Energy has begun trying to get involved in helping companiesbecome more energy-efficient.

The energy problem has triggered new avenues of research in the industry.Advanced Micro Devices and Intel are focusing on building chips with moreprocessing cores rather than a higher clock frequency and correspondingly higherpower consumption. IBM's next-generation Power6 processor has power managementabilities that let it drop down to a 100-watt level. Sun Microsystems has beentouting the energy efficiency of its UltraSparc T1 "Niagara"-based servers formore than a year. And Dell launched an energy-efficient server line in December.