Green IT For Providers

Important note: this document is designed for Local Support Providers (LSPs). The general Green IT site is here. This page was last modified on Friday, 10-Aug-2007 12:31:58 EDT. This page will grow and will probably become multiple pages as more information is added.

As part of the University's sustainability efforts, Information Systems & Computing (ISC) and other information technology organizations across the University are investigating sustainability issues related to IT.

Notes

All new desktop and laptop hardware from all three of the University's preferred desktop and laptop providers (Apple, Dell, and Lenovo) now meets RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive) standards - we benefit from their international presence since RoHS took effect in the European Union in July 2006.

Options

The following options are available to LSPs when purchasing new desktops. It may not be possible to implement all these options, but they are certainly worth considering.

1. Purchase small form factor or all-in-one desktops when possible - they use slightly less power and significantly less materials than mini-towers or towers.
2. Purchase new displays every other life cycle, instead of every life cycle. If this option is selected, make sure that displays are high-quality displays and attempt to buy displays that support the digital connections that will become more standard going forward.
3. Purchase desktops that are Energy Star 4.0-compliant. Almost all current desktops can achieve basic Energy Star compliance, but less than 25% currently comply with the more stringent Energy Star 4.0.

Technical Links

For information on relative power usage of modern desktops and laptops in common use at the University under various operating conditions, see the Approximate Desktop & Laptop Power Usage page.

General University Links

President Amy Gutmann's February 2007 press release regarding the University's commitment to sustainability.

Notes from the 2007 IT Staff Convention session on Making IT Greener At Penn.

Wharton Computing has a discussion on their Brainstorm site titled Wharton Computing = Carbon Neutral?

External Links

The Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star site contains specific information on the new Energy Star 4.0 certifications.

Green Computing, an IT-specific subset of GreenBiz, has links and opinion related to Green IT.

80plus.org is a utility-funded program to make desktop and server power supplies more efficient.

Manufacturer Links

Sustainability-related sites from the University's preferred IT providers are highly variable, with some being strategy-related and others being more 'nuts and bolts'.

Apple

Dell

Lenovo

Epson

Hewlett-Packard