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Technology with the Environment in Mind
FOREWORD
Ted Reichelt, Principal Environmental Engineer, Global Environmental Group
Intel has a long history of technology innovation and leadership. For more than four decades, Intel and our industry have consistently fulfilled the vision and challenge of Moore's Law: to double the transistor density on integrated circuits about every two years. Intel co-founder Gordon Moore's remarkable prediction for technology advancement is complemented by his personal commitment to environmental and conservation causes for many years. Dr. Moore has helped instill a design for environment philosophy throughout Intel and the semiconductor industry that spans microarchitecture, process technology development, product development, manufacturing, and supporting operations.
Today, environmental concerns are at the forefront of our daily lives. Issues such as global warming, clean water access and supply, and the recycling and reuse of waste products and materials are routinely in the news and the subject of public policy deliberations. While there is lively debate about causes and cures for these issues, Intel has taken a responsible approach to continuously reduce our environmental impact while finding ways to help make our technology a part of environmental solutions. To be more environmentally sustainable, an enterprise must look for opportunities both in its products and its operations-manufacturing, facilities, and supporting activities.
High computing performance with minimum energy use is an important goal for our integrated circuits and other products. Lower energy consumption reduces computing costs, extends battery life, and reduces the heat produced by the device. The U.S. EPA estimates that the Energy Star efficiency standard has helped reduce annual national energy consumption by 170 billion kWh (37 million metric tons of carbon equivalent green house gas emissions), the equivalent of taking 25 million automobiles off the road. Despite all the progress to date, there are many remaining opportunities for further efficiencies through novel microarchitecture and design, software, and optimization of both components as well as the total electronic product.
Another important product environmental goal is the use of materials that are safe for the environment and for public health. Safe materials also help to make recycling and reuse of products easier and more financially viable. Global regulations already require that certain metals, some halogenated flame retardants, and a few other materials be phased out.
Through early involvement in the process technology development lifecycle, the carbon footprint of future manufacturing processes can be more effectively minimized. Establishing goals and business processes for energy and water conservation, waste reduction, and the use of environmentally friendly materials ensures the proliferation of more efficient manufacturing processes.
Design and construction of greener buildings is also expanding rapidly. Standards such as the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) are aimed at reducing resource use, identifying more sustainable building sites, and creating a better indoor working environment. Intel is working with a coalition of companies through the International Semiconductor Manufacturing Initiative (ISMI) to develop LEED standards specifically for high-tech manufacturing.
Here are some recent highlights from Intel's record of recent environmental accomplishments resulting from our environmental philosophy:
- We have been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the ninth straight year and have been the Technology Super Sector leader in the index for the seventh straight year.
- We have reduced our global warming emissions to the equivalent of taking 50,000 automobiles off the road.
- Our innovative 45nm technology is lead–free and has significantly reduced halogen content; moreover, our newest microprocessors are up to 40% more energy efficient than their previous technology generation counterparts.
- In the last three years our operations have conserved over 9 billion gallons of water.
- We recycle 70% of our wastes.
- We are a major purchaser of renewable energy and are working to certify several buildings to the LEED green standard.
This Q1/08 edition of the Intel Technology Journal covers a wide application of technologies that enable high-performance computing while providing solutions to environmental concerns. I hope you will find this edition both informative and encouraging.