Information Technology, Blacktown College A Presentation for the Learning for Sustainability Awards 2011

‘the one kilowatt classroom’ Low energy desktop computing - achieving less than 40watts per station

Sustainability challenge An average modern classroom is equipped with computers, large screen, lighting, heating and cooling and can be quite energy intensive – consuming 5-6 kilowatts of power Average computer use consuming W The challenge is to have modern equipment and facilities to support good learning outcomes, and Use technology in such a way as to minimise the energy consumed The goal of the project is a modern classroom consuming only one kilowatt of power – this will require low energy desktop computing, less than 40watts per station.

Process Researching and learning the basics of ICT Sustainability Experimenting - setting up a trial, purchasing hardware and software, and getting some hands-on experience Doing a field trial to identify potential applications, gaining practical knowledge in real-world environments Developing a feasibility study and proposal, choosing hardware and software vendors Launching a pilot, to confirm technical operation, correct any problems and prepare for the final deployment and scaling Presentation of results and review

Low Energy Desktop Computing Projects Thin clients Atom processor mainboard Solid state hard drives Green power supply units “Light” operating systems Thin Client Desktop with Atom Processor Mainboard Solid State Drive

Achievements Thin client desktop: 30 watts under full load to 15 watts on idle 4 watts on off Desktop with an Atom mainboard (Asus): 34 watts under full load 24 watts on idle 0 watts on off

Achievements A typical 2.5” hard drive based on rotating magnetic platters usually requires between – – 2 w and 4 w when it is under maximum load – 0.5w and 1.3w when it runs idle Solid state hard drive - – 2 watts under full load – Less than 1 watt idle

Achievements Green Power Supply Units An “80 Plus” power supply can save about 85 kilowatt-hours per PC, per year. In many ways, it's the heart of a green PC, since it manages the power for all the other components. It also has the most dramatic effect on your energy bill. “80 Plus” power supplies are also lead- free and RoHS-compliant.

Achievements ‘Light’ OS “Light” operating systems e.g. Zorin OS 4 lite Nearly no risk of getting malware Faster - its tested to be more than twice as fast as normal OS – Free: – Review: com/2011/01/02/zorin-os-a-small- review/ com/2011/01/02/zorin-os-a-small- review/

Future projects under planning and development include: development of turn-key green ICT solutions fitting out of a training room development of multimedia resources in ICT sustainability

The Benefits Learning for Sustainability In embracing the ”one kilowatt classroom” concept we have been able to develop strategic skills and knowledge that place us well for future employment in this emerging Green IT area while adding considerable value to our community of knowledge The low energy desktops demonstrate the theory and practice of Green IT to students – they will become an integral part of semester 2 delivery for the new sustainability unit : ICTSUS4184A Install and test power saving hardware

Acknowledgements We would like to thank the following individuals for their support Catherine Miller and Brian Clarke, Head Teachers, Information Technology Jann Dillon, A/Manager Educational Programs Joanne Saville, Teacher, Consultant for Students with Vision Impairment George Kemeny, Student Andrew Rhodes, Student Matthew Brady, Student