Green computing: A life cycle perspective

Green computing has become synonymous with low-power/energy computing. However, many environmental impacts of computing, such as manufacturing, are significant, possibly moreso than the operational/use phase. In this paper we motivate manufacturing as an issue of sustainable computing. We also demonstrate the manufacturing component of chips plays a significant role in the overall energy consumption of the computer over its life-cycle. Current trends indicate this component will increase at more aggressive technology nodes. In the context of life-cycle assessment of larger systems, manufacturing of computer systems deployed in buildings can be significant compared to the construction of the building itself.