Green Computing: Efficient and Eco-friendly Use of Computer Resources to Improve Energy Utilization

Abstract: Computers are widely used globally in business, industry, e-Agriculture, bioinformatics, medical and environmental sciences, and in every organization. Their immense application and usage requires huge amount of electricity and always lead to higher operational cost of the system. The utilization of electrical energy during working of computers generates heat as per the thermodynamics rules and therefore, air conditioners are used for providing cooling environment during working of computers and servers. Moreover, the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide along with heat generation leads to depletion of ozone layer resulting in global warming that cause various harmful impacts on our environment and natural resources. In modern era of technology, it is also not possible to avoid the usage of computers in increasingly competitive world. Therefore, an alternative eco-friendly and cost effective technology is required in order to reduce the negative impact of computing technology on our natural resources. Green computing has emerged as ecofriendly technology for the use of computers, peripherals and servers to minimize the carbon footprint and effective use of energy. In this paper, several green initiatives currently undertaken in the computer industry to maximize energy efficiency and e-waste recycling process have been discussed. Moreover, the effective implementation of Green Computing is highlighted by minimizing the wastage of energy in small, medium and large organizations, and to promote recyclability of industrial waste. Keywords: Green computing, Energy usage, Green house effect, Environment, Waste recycling, Cloud computing.