In response, Google created a black version of its search engine, called Blackle, with the exact same functions as the white version, but obviously with lower energy consumption.
The concept behind Blackle is that computer monitors can be made to consume less energy by displaying much darker colors. Blackle is based on a study which tested a variety of CRT and LCD monitors. Dispute over whether there really are any energy saving effects.
This concept was first brought to the attention of Heap Media by a blog post, which estimated that Google could save 750.0 megawatt-hours a year by utilizing it for CRT screens. The homepage of Blackle provides a count of the number of megawatt-hours that have supposedly been saved by enabling this concept.
Darren Yates, a technology journalist who reviews computer hardware, tested 4 CRT monitors and 23 LCD monitors, and found that the CRT monitors did use more energy displaying a white screen, but less than the calculations made by the blog post that inspired Blackle.
The LCD monitors tested showed slightly less power use displaying a white screen in the majority of cases, although most of the larger (24-inch) monitors did use slightly less power displaying a black screen.
Do your bit and save some energy and help for a good cause. Use Blackle avoide Google.
