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Linux Software Saves 11 Tonnes of CO² Per Year in Computer Waste

Currently, less than three percent of the world's population owns a computer, yet computer hardware production and disposal is one of the fastest growing threats to our environment

The Desktop Multiplier for SLED 10 offers an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional computers by turning one computer into ten fully independent workstations. Modern desktop computers sit idle 98% of the day while users read or type. The Linux Desktop Multiplier software lets users share a single SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop computer by installing extra dual-headed video cards. This leverages unused computing power to create an environmentally-efficient alternative to traditional desktop computing. This SLED 10 software eliminates nine out of every ten computers by replacing up to ten computer boxes with a single shared computer box. On a ten-user system, this software can reduce total CO² emissions by as much as 33 tonnes over a 3-year lifespan
[See Notes below for calculations].

Tim Griffin, President of Userful, who holds a Masters degree in Environmental Design says, "The Desktop Multiplier for SLED 10, powered by Useful, is the product of four years of research and development and millions of dollars in investment. Our goal was to bring an affordable and environmentally-friendly computing solution to the world. Currently, less than three percent of the world's population owns a computer, yet computer hardware production and disposal is one of the fastest growing threats to our environment. It is quite remarkable that something as intangible as software could reduce the environmental impact of computing by close to ninety percent."

In addition to the obvious power and air conditioning TCO savings, the Desktop Multiplier for SLED 10 software also reduces the environmental impact of computer hardware disposal. Computers have become one of the largest single contributors to electronic waste globally. The disposal of computer components that contain lead, mercury, cadmium and a number of other persistent, toxic and bio-accumulative compounds present a growing threat to our water and air quality. By turning one computer into ten and allowing users to reuse existing monitors, and in some cases simply add video cards to the existing boxes, the Desktop Multiplier for SLED 10 software reduces the environmental impact of hardware disposal.

NOTES

Excluding the monitor, a computer uses approximately:

110 Watts during active periods
60 Watts when idle (no power management)
and 35 Watts in sleep mode.

For library public access computer systems, this would correspond to 60 Watts for 10 hours and 35 Watts for the 14 remaining hours (assuming the computer is left on overnight). So 1.09 kilowatt hours per day for 6 days and 35 Watts all day Sunday. This gives 7.38 kWh per week and 384 kWh per year. If the Linux Desktop Multiplier system replaces ten PCs, the saving is slightly less than nine PCs (since the SLED 10 computer has four extra video cards), so the gain is about 8.5 PCs or 3,261 kWh. For electricity generated at 1.45 lbs of CO2 per kWh, the savings are 2.11 tonnes of CO2 per year. In a building that uses air conditioning, the environmental savings would be significantly higher.

This two-tonne-per-year calculation ignores the cost of producing the hardware. Allowing for that increases the savings potential considerably. Given that the life cycle energy use of a computer is represents only 19% of its energy use (production represents the remaining 81%). The total production and operations savings over a 3-year life span of a 10-station Desktop Multiplier for SLED 10 computer would be 33 tonnes.