Black Google Could Save Gigawatts

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Because of the vast numbers of computers in the world, small changes multiplied over millions of computers can have staggeringly large effects. Our friends over at EcoIron did some back-of-a-napkin calculation to figure out how much energy would be saved if Google's main page was black instead of white. They come up with a savings of $75,000 per year (at 10 cents per kWh) and a reduction of 750 Megawatt-hours of power.

There was a lot of back and forth discussion about this (and a follow-up article as well). The percentage of LCD monitors vs. CRT displays is significant in this because LCD displays don't have the same variability in power use that CRTs do.

The point isn't to get Google to change its stripes (or its background color). Rather, small factors can have a large impact when multiplied out over millions of repetitions or millions of users. We have opportunities to make much more significant changes than this. And if such a small change can make such a big difference, imagine what else can be done.

Link: EcoIron

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Eco Geek is White
written by Doug Dante, February 02, 2007

Eco Geek is white. Why harass Google to go black? I like their white page.

Would only save energy with CRTs
written by kballs, February 03, 2007

LCDs use a constant light level and block it out with black pixels (actually probably using slightly more power to make a black screen in order to energize the pixels to a black color).

CRTs would save power with black because the electron gun would be firing much less.

With the way LCDs are selling, a black google would not realize any noticeable energy savings, while people switching from CRT to LCD would see a big net savings.

Why stop there?
written by Mirkules, February 06, 2007

Imagine all the savings if they didn't use an image on their front page, but replaced it with text? I'm sure that the computing power required to render and image and display it on the screen would match or exceed the cost savings of switching from black to white. Not to mention bandwidth savings for Google.

And why not go back to the gopher age wh
written by Yanick Y, February 13, 2007

The days of text only protocol are over guys get use to it... if you don't like HTML emails... then use smoke signal...

How Many have 500W Power Supply
written by Yanick Y, February 13, 2007

You want to change the world... that's fine with me... but how many of you got a Pentium 4 ... the one and only CPU that produce more heat than work... How many of you got a low power platform... you probably all have case with neon inside...

Better Solutions
written by Rachael, February 13, 2007

Interesting story guys. I think 'kballs' is correct in that eventually a black google will actually consume more power.

Surely using a service that donates proceeds to charity like http://www.jikolp.com (powered by Google) or http://goodsearch.com (powered by Yahoo) would be a much better solution than a black Google:)

...
written by celia, February 23, 2007

I like my screen as it is. Sometimes, it makes a good night light when my boyfriend is asleep and I got work to do.

...
written by CHRIS J, March 15, 2008

People will never choose to walk or ride a bike to the grocery store as long as gas prices continue to allow them to take a 2-ton four-wheel ride. The more is less rule applies here, 4000 pounds can certainly carry 2 or 3 hundred pounds of bonehead. It is however uncertain weather that same 2 or 3 hundred pound bonehead can carry 40 or 50 pounds of groceries for less than 30 minutes without discomfort.

Find It Girlfriend.com
written by Heidi, April 21, 2008

I recently came across a search site like Blackle, only it encourages support for Breast Cancer and is pink.

www.FindItGirlfriend.com. Cute. ;)

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