Did you know that the average desktop
computer consumes about 354-kilowatt hours of energy a day, and that
90% of that energy consumption comes from the computer being idle? So
can you imagine how much energy a supercomputer consumes?

Researchers at IBM realized that about half of a supercomputer’s
energy consumption comes from cooling the system to keep it from
overheating, so they have designed a new green energy savings computer that will recycle the water-cooled microchips into heat for the surrounding room. It’s called the Aquasar.

How does it work?

The eco friendly aspect of IBM’s Aquasar energy saving super
computer lies in how the microchips are cooled. Most supercomputers
cool the water between the processors, but the Aquasar brings the
liquid as close to the chips as possible without getting them wet. The
cold water is then heated by the chips, recycling it into the outside air.

The Aquasar, which is located at the Swiss Federal Institute of
Technology Zurich, now provides heat for the university’s heating
system. Maybe in the future it can heat universities and dorms around
the world.

Don’t forget to check out our computer recycling page.

Source: Wired

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