cyber warming to wireless power in three random steps

One strategy to reduce the carbon impact of computers is centralised computing in data centres. A new UK task force is aiming to reduce the materials going into PCs, and the energy consumed in their operation, by "hosting functions such as office applications, email and internet surfing on data centres rather than on individual computers". The computers running these applications would be more efficient than standard desktop PCs, resulting in an overall improvement in energy efficiency.

While we're on the subject of energy and computers, here's a cool device: a rechargeable AA battery with a difference. This baby recharges by plugging into your USB port. No more charger to lug around.

What about charging the PC itself? An experimental system to deliver power to devices without the need for wires has shown that it's possible, though not yet ready for home use. Hmmm... I'm not so sure that wireless power is a great idea. Convenient, yes, but the loss of energy is excessive. No doubt further work will improve the 40% efficiency achieved in the experiment; but we are still living with very poor efficiencies* in the transfer of electricity over high voltage grids, and it's hard to imagine wireless transfer being any better. Which is one motivation for distributed generation of power, often referred to as micro-generation.

*One energy study of countries in East and Horn of Africa shows electricity system losses ranging from 17% to 34%. Whether those losses are mainly through transmission or other causes, the fact is that centralised power generation increases the opportunities for losses. But putting power generation in the hands of local communities, businesses and individuals will increase the sense of responsibility and motivation to use energy efficiently.