Germany rolls out green project

The Saxony region of Germany has formed the Cool-Silicon-Cluster, a five-year programme intended to reduce the energy consumption of information technology in the Dresden region, says EE Times Germany.

Financial support from the authorities, plus the participants' own budgets, is expected to produce a total budget for the programme of 150 million euro (R1.7 billion).

The Cool-Silicon-Cluster is beginning with three lead projects, which are expected to spin-off dozens of other projects including Cool Computing, Cool Reader, and Cool Sensomet.

Prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak claims the setting up of the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry in his cabinet is testament to the Malaysian government's commitment in ensuring an environmentally friendly approach in developing the nation, reports New Straits Times.

He says Iskandar Malaysia is a sterling example of the implementation of green technology.

Under the district cooling building technology, all government buildings in Kota Iskandar will be provided with centralised air conditioning to reduce cost and cut carbon emissions.

NComputing, manufacturer of greener computing devices that consume only 1W of electricity per user, has qualified for rebates from US and Canadian utilities, says Venture Beat.

The company has already qualified for reduction-energy incentives via institutions like the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Known for low-cost, thin-client computers, its green products are based on the idea that most applications don't require the full power drawn by most computers, 110W on average.