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Green IT or Green Computing envisages more efficient and better use of IT resources so that there is minimum use of unsafe materials while promoting use of recycled products and ensures maximum energy conservation.

The complex mechanisms involved in the IT processing and management of utilities requires green IT.

Being originated in the year 1992, the term “green computing” came in the picture just after the “Energy Star” program was launched. The green IT undoubtedly delivers a good ROI which can be measured. A lot of changes has to be brought about in the organization wherever the concept of green IT is to be taken up like the complete investment planning, optimum utilization of resources, or the IT and the facilities department working in conjunction. And the approaches to green IT may involve adoption of thin client solutions, virtualization or telecommuting.

With IBM recently launched consulting service being offered by IBM is based on the Lean Six Sigma principles of efficiency. This consulting service is aimed at examining use of energy and water and subsequently providing the control measures to conserve energy. According to the company sources, IBM in 1990 saved around 4.6 billion kWh of electricity and prevented almost 3 million metric tones of CO2 emissions. So, essentially a reduction in wastage and recycling of the used materials is what is required to ensure green IT. There have been multiple approaches to green computing.

Some of them are:

Virtualization: With virtualization, more than one system can be run on a single set of physical hardware. It allows for minimum power consumption and maximum cooling effect. Intel and AMD are two companies who have relied on virtualization techniques for their core CPU product lines. Virtualization allows for the consolidation of servers hence reduces the costs associated to power consumption and energy utilization.

Power saving: The open industry standards like ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) allows for power control and saving by making the components like monitors and hard drives to rest after long hours of work.
Now, the maximum power saver would be to have a fast GPU with out a video card sharing of terminals and sharing of desktop output. At best, an older video card can be utilized. Almost, all computing supplies such as printers, toners, monitors etc.

Telecommuting: Telecommuting or virtual working has many benefits associated to green IT since apart from having the cool experience of working from home. Since the workers do not have to commute, there will be less fuel emission or green house gas emissions. And since there is also reduced overhead costs in office like light, electricity etc, there is an increased overall power and energy savings.

VOIP: The reduction in telephone wiring will obviously lead to decreasing costs because of Voice-Over-Internet protocol.
Above all, the desktops and laptops should be switched off when not using and should not be left on standby. The printers, UPS and all other components should also remain switched off.