This is the first blog entry for DeMythsRTried. In this blog, we will challenge computer and technology assumptions that surround us every day. Phitch began by challenging the 1913 assumption still in use in most ERP packages today to utilize the EOQ formula. In the process, we have created the ultimate inventory optimization package. Armed with the right knowledge, we can make the right decisions.
In each post we will present several sides of the case and let our readers be the judge what are the best actions to take.
The assumption or myth:
In reading a tweet by Guy Kawasaki I began to wonder: should we be concerned about our carbon foot from doing Google searches?
@guykawasaki Do you know the answers to these 8 questions about the Internet? (click on each question) http://adjix.com/3wzp
Number 7 of these questions is the following: Is The Net Hurting The Environment?
1st Corner: Times Online January 11, 2009
Source: Dr Alex Wissner-Gross of Harvard University
Title: How you can help reduce the footprint of the Web
“Google does not divulge its energy use or carbon footprint but, based on publicly available information, we have calculated that each Google search generates an estimated 5-10 g of CO2, in part because Google's unique infrastructure replicates queries across multiple servers, which then compete to provide the fastest answer to your query. On the other hand, just browsing a basic website generates about 20 mg of CO2 for every second you view it."
2nd Corner: The Official Google Blog January 11, 2009
Source:Urs Hölzle, Senior Vice President, Operations, Google
Title: Powering a Google Search
"Google is fast — a typical search returns results in less than 0.2 seconds. Queries vary in degree of difficulty, but for the average query, the servers it touches each work on it for just a few thousandths of a second. Together with other work performed before your search even starts (such as building the search index) this amounts to 0.0003 kWh of energy per search, or 1 kJ. In terms of greenhouse gases, one Google search is equivalent to about 0.2 grams of CO2. The current EU standard for tailpipe emissions calls for 140 grams of CO2 per kilometer driven, but most cars don't reach that level yet. Thus, the average car driven for one kilometer (0.6 miles for those in the U.S.) produces as many greenhouse gases as a thousand Google searches"
De-Myth
So the issue is not how much energy is used to generate the search but how much energy is spent on the search. So what does the data say:
“Chris Goodall, author of Ten Technologies to Save the Planet, estimates the carbon emissions of a Google search at 7g to 10g (assuming 15 minutes’ computer use)”
1. How much time is spent doing a Google search:
a.2557 million minutes on Google in May 2007
b.1200 million searches per day or 36500 million searches per month
c.14.27 minutes per search
This supports Goodall’s numbers and suggests both versions are low.
2.How much energy does my PC and monitor use:
a. A personal computer uses about 150 watts, and a monitor about 120 watts.
b. Converting to CO2 emissions - there 537 gms CO2 per kWh of typical grid electricity.
3.Putting all this together means a Google search uses 37 gms of CO2 which is more than both sides above.
4. Putting this in perspective because what does a gram of CO2 mean anyway. I get the following number of searches per mile with the three versions above: Note: A typical car creates 452 grams of CO2 per mile
a.The Times Online: 60 searches per mile
b. Google: 2260 searches per mile
c. DeMythsRTried: 12 searches per mile
5. What should we do
a. Google does have a point that their contribution from their data centers relative to the overall time spent on the search is small - in fact is smaller than other reports have suggested (less than 0.5% of the search time). To me it sounds like an opportunity to create a tool/application for us to review searches faster or more productively.
b. Does this mean Google is the blame or bad? Let’s look at total online usage, according to compete.com only 2.1% of our time online is spent on Google. In other words, there is 98% of the pie to focus on to make a real impact. In fact, the opposite is the case as Google's record on being green is stellar.
c.Maybe I should put my PC in sleep mode and prepare my search strategy so that I take less time. My PC drops to 3 watts during this time.
d. Maybe I should focus on tools to reduce my online energy use. If I switch to a laptop, my energy consumption drops to 30 watts (Vs 270 for my desktop and monitor). The advantage of this approach is that is also impacts the other time I spend online. Another example is to use Twitter from my phone using applications such as TwitterBerry.
Voice your opinion - please fill out our single question survey below.